Ranchi, May 20: �During a video conferencing on Friday, chief secretary Rajbala Verma directed all district agricultural officers and district soil conservation officers to complete farm pond digging (dobha) by June 10. �
She further asked the officials to receive and approve applications ��according to the target and ensure fund transfer in beneficiaries account. �CS clarified that payment of ��JCB used in farm pond digging (dobha) has to be made by beneficiaries only and role of middle man should be checked. Verma directed the officials to engage extra computer operators for ID creation of beneficiaries.
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Farm pond digging is the flagship scheme of state government and before rainy season this campaign has to be completed, added Verma. The�CS asked the officials to engage Agri-Friends (KRISHI MITRA) to achieve the target completion by June 10. In case of any issue officials should take guidance from their seniors. Chief secretary directed the district agriculture officers to inspect at least 30-40 farm pond construction site weekly and submit their report.
She clarified that�the officials were to upload photographs of beneficiaries with farm ponds. Verma further said that on-going projects should be completed by May 25.
According to official records, 92, 391 applications for farm pond digging have been received and 87, 251 applications have been approved till date�against target of 100,000. A sum of Rs. 55 crore has already been transferred in the accounts of 63,939 beneficiaries. Till date about 20,000 farm ponds digging work has been completed and work of 41,715 farm pond digging work is in progress.
During review meeting, the CS directed the officials to collect samples for soil testing before rainy season. She directed the officials to make KRISHI MITRA responsible for timely completion of farm pond digging and soil testing works.
Verma�asked the agriculture department officials to be prepared for Krishi Rath�Program,�which is scheduled for May 25. She asked them to ensure the�availability of agri insurance forms in Krishi Raths to facilitate the peasants on the spot. CS also directed the officials to complete seed purchase as soon as possible and further instructed them to ensure treatment before dispatch.
Nitin Madan Kulkarni, secretary, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department, director, Soil Conservation and other senior officials attended the meeting.