SHILLONG : The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is working on a plan to provide direct financial assistance to up to 2 lakh farmers in the state before the end of its current term, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Friday.
Speaking at a public meeting in Patharkhmah organised to garner support for NPP Shillong Lok Sabha byelection candidate Dr DRL Nonglait, Dhar said the proposal was discussed with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma during a meeting on Thursday.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the party machinery and farmers’ associations have been asked to make preparations for the proposed rollout.
Under the proposed financial assistance scheme, farmers would receive support in three different slabs, with eligible beneficiaries receiving Rs 5,000, Rs 6,000 or Rs 7,000, depending on the category.
“We will try to provide financial assistance to as many as 2 lakh farmers. Some will get Rs 5,000, some Rs 6,000 and some Rs 7,000,” Dhar told the gathering.
He said the proposed assistance is intended to help farmers expand their agricultural and allied activities and strengthen their livelihoods.
Dhar described the farming community in the region as a large one and said the NPP-led MDA government has prioritised support for farmers.
“The help from the government to farmers in this area has been tremendous,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the government’s record in Meghalaya’s border areas, claiming that the present administration had taken steps in areas where previous governments had not acted.
Responding to reports alleging that Meghalaya had lost territory, Dhar rejected the claims and asserted that no land had been ceded.
“There are articles saying Meghalaya has lost land. The truth is we have not. As a government we have gone to all the border areas to ensure our people can live in peace and security and earn their livelihood, so that their income improves,” he said.
The proposed farmer assistance programme, if implemented, is expected to provide direct financial support to a significant number of farmers across Meghalaya and strengthen the government’s focus on agriculture and allied activities.