New Delhi, May 21 (IANS): Chhattisgarh on Thursday became the first state to launch the Congress flagship programme of 'Nyay.' Christened as Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojna, The scheme was launched by party chief Sonia Gandhi through video conferencing. The Nyay scheme that the Congress promised to implement in its manifesto was aimed at ensuring minimum income availability to the poor through direct bank transfer. This will directly help 20 lakh farmers. For this, a provision of Rs 5,100 crore has been made in the budget.
In a conversation with IANS, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel outlines his plans:
Q. How is Chhattisgarh's Nyay scheme unique from any other scheme for farmers?
A. The Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana is formulated with a far-sighted vision of encouraging farmers to produce more crops and help in reviving the economy. Under the scheme, the farmers will get money into their bank accounts as an agriculture assistance grant through Direct Benefit Transfer for procuring crops like paddy, maize and sugarcane (Rabi). The money will be transferred in four installments. No other state has taken such a step in the interest of farmers.
Q. What is the purpose of launching this scheme at this point of time?
A. Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana was a part of our manifesto for 2019 Lok Sabha elections and we have been continuously working towards strengthening the economic condition of farmers, tribals and labourers. A provision for the scheme was made in the budget 2020-21. The scheme will act as an elixir for farmers during the tough time of corona crisis as farmers will be getting money in their pockets. It will assist in agricultural inputs and provide fair prices for their produce. During the lockdown period, the state government has been providing stimulus to rural economy by ensuring flow of money to labourers through MGNREGA and to tribal population through minor forest produce procurement. In Chhattisgarh, we have also provided employment to 18 lakh 51 thousand 536 MNREGA workers with 24 per cent participation at national level.
Q. How many farmers will benefit from Nyay and how much money will they get?
A. Over 19 lakh farmers in the state will have the benefit of the Nyay Yojana. Over 18.35 lakh farmers of the state will receive the payment of first instalment of up to Rs 1,500 crore towards payment of paddy crop. The beneficiaries will include marginal farmers (9,53,706), small farmers (5,60,284), big farmers (3,20,844) i.e. total: 18,34,834 from Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur, Surguja, Bastar divisions. As much as Rs 5,700 crore will be transferred directly to their accounts in four instalments.
Farmers planting paddy and maize crops in Kharif 2019 via the medium of cooperative societies, on the basis of input ratio, the maximum amount payable under the scheme is Rs 10,000 per acre. Depending on the amount required, it will be given in their accounts. Farmers whose crops were procured in 2019 kharif season will also be benefited. Data related to procurement is being obtained from the department concerned. On the basis of this, payment will be made to farmers producing maize in the next instalment.
Q. How do you think Nyay scheme is different from PM Kisan Samman Yojana?
A. In Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, we are providing financial assistance calculated on the basis of Rs 10,000 per acre to each beneficiary account based on registered area and area under cultivation during Kharif crop season 2019 as an agriculture assistance grant through Direct Benefit Transfer for procuring crops like paddy, maize and sugarcane (Rabi).
Q. Why are only paddy, maize and sugarcane crops included in the scheme? What about farmers cultivating other crops?
A. Sugarcane crops, paddy, maize, soyabean, groundnut, sesame, pigeonpea, moong, urad, kulthi, ramatil, kodo, kotki and rabi from kharif 2020 will be included in the 'Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna'. Also, farmers, taking the grant for paddy crop last year, can replace paddy with other crops included in the scheme this year. In such a situation, they will be given an additional assistance per acre.