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FM moots 16-point plan to revive agri, allied sectors
New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday mooted a 16-point plan to revive the agriculture and allied sectors.
Presenting her second Union Budget on Saturday, Sitharaman announced funding allocations totalling Rs 4.06 lakh crore for the agriculture and rural sectors.
Out of this, Rs 2.83 lakh crore will be allocated to agriculture while Rs 1.23 lakh crore will be provided for rural development and Panchayati Raj.
Announcing her 16-point programme to boost agriculture and allied rural sectors, Sitharaman said the Central government proposes to encourage the state governments to undertake implementation of three modern agriculture laws, including the Contract Farming Act 2018 and the Land Leasing Act 2016 .
Comprehensive measures for 100 water-stressed districts, expansion of PM Kusum Scheme to enable 20 lakh standalone farmers to set up solar power plants, promoting balanced use of fertilisers are also part of the proposed 16-point plan.
In a bid to involve more women and increase income generation for women, the Finance Minister announced the Dhanyalakshmi Village Storage scheme to be managed by women self help groups. The scheme will help farmers store more of their farm produce and reduce logistics costs.
Under the 16-point plan, Sitharaman plans to introduce rail and air transport support for transporting perishable agriproduce. Kisan Express, in public-private-partnership, from the Indian Railways and Krishi Udaan from Ministry of Civil Aviation are to be introduced for this purpose.
The horticulture sector will also be a thrust area under Sitharaman”s 16-point programme. Under the plan, states will be encouraged to promote the concept of ”one district — one product”. Similarly, integrated farming systems such as bee-keeping will be encouraged in rainfed areas.
Sitharaman also announced that the NABARD finance scheme will be further strengthened.
Eliminating ”foot and mouth” disease in cattle and PPR in sheep and goat by 2025 is also part of the plan. Artificial insemination of livestock is to be increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent.
Developing marine produce is also on the anvil with plans to raise fish production to 200 lakh tonnes by 2125. Involving coastal youth in fishing activities through Sagar Mitras is also part of the Finance Minister”s plan to stimulate the agri and allied sectors.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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.