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Cabinet approves Rs 5,000 crore for micro-irrigation expansion

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New Delhi, May 16 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved an initial corpus of Rs 5,000 crore to set up a dedicated fund under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to expand the area under micro-irrigation.

The ‘Micro Irrigation Fund’ (MIF), with the participation of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), will supplement the execution of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) component under the PMKSY and help in bringing about one million hectares of land under micro-irrigation projects, as per an official statement.

It said that states can access the MIF fund to mobilise resources for innovative integrated projects, including additional (top-up) subsidy for implementation of PMKSY-PDMC to achieve the annual target of about two million hectares per year during the remaining period of the 14th Finance Commission.

“The allocation of Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore will be utilised during 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. NABARD will extend the loan to state governments during this period. Borrowings from NABARD shall be paid back in seven years, including a grace period of two years,” reads the statement.

A state may use this fund for projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode but it should not substitute the state’s own share in the PMKSY-PDMC.

The Task Force on Micro Irrigation had estimated a potential of 69.5 million hectares under micro-irrigation, whereas the area covered so far is only about 10 million hectares (14 per cent).

“Farmers producers organisations, cooperatives, state agencies can also access the funds with state government guarantees or equivalent collaterals. Farmer cooperatives may access this fund for innovative cluster-based community irrigation projects,” the statement added.

The constitution of an advisory committee is also proposed to provide policy direction and ensure effective planning, coordination and monitoring along with a steering committee for examining and approving the projects and proposals from state governments.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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