The Hindu : Front Page : Farmers' welfare schemes formally launched

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 06, 2005

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Front Page

Farmers' welfare schemes formally launched

Special Correspondent

Social security scheme to benefit 86 lakh farm workers, 51 lakh small farmers

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday formally launched three welfare schemes for farmers, including a comprehensive social security scheme that would benefit 86 lakh farm workers and 51 lakh small and marginal farmers.

Presiding over a State farmers conference, she said small and marginal farmers and agricultural labourers aged between 18 and 65 were eligible to enrol in the scheme. It would cost the exchequer Rs. 250 crores per annum. Subscription for the social security scheme was Rs. 10 a member, but the Government would pay it. It would cost the exchequer Rs 13.75 crores.

The registered members are entitled to various benefits, including accident death assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to members of the bereaved family, Rs. 1 lakh for permanent disability in accidents, Rs. 10,000 for natural death, Rs. 3,000 in case of marriage of male members and Rs 5,000 in case of female members in the family and Rs. 2,500 to meet funeral expenses of the deceased member.

Another scheme, the Tamil Nadu Women in Agri Business and Extension scheme, would provide farm and non-farm training to farmers and agricultural workers, especially women, for increasing production and productivity.

Scientific practices

Under the intensified agricultural extension scheme, farmers would be educated on scientific farming practices, crops diversification and water conservation.

With a view to approaching the farmers directly, a propaganda van would visit all villages to make them aware of the scheme.

Listing out welfare measures taken by her Government in the last four years for farmers, when they were in distress, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the drought-affected ryots were given 30 kg of free rice every month.

The Government had waived land tax during the period. In the last three years, when farming was hit by drought, she had announced debt relief schemes.

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