7025 CATTLE SHEDS TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN VILLAGES, WORK ON OVER 5293 IN FULL SWING-APNEET RIYAIT
**SAYS Rs. 1376.13 LAKH INCURRED TILL AUGUST 10 IN DISTRICT UNDER MGNREGS GENERATING 5,26,091 MANDAYS
HOSHIARPUR, AUGUST 24 / NEW SUPER BHARAT NEWS:
In order to boost dairy and income of dairy farmers, the District Administration has set a target to construct 7025 individual cattle sheds in current fiscal through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), of which work on over 5293 sheds were in full swing.
Disclosing this here today, the Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait said that under MGNREGS funds to the tune of Rs 1376.13 lakh had been incurred till August 10, 2020 with ongoing development works in 1044 Panchayats. She stated that the Administration had already accomplished 318 development works through MGNREGS during the current fiscal.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the scheme had three components for benefiting small and marginal farmers as those farmers who have two cattle, would get assistance worth Rs. 35,000, Rs. 60,000 on four cattle and those having six livestock would be eligible to get Rs 97000 for construction of cattle sheds. She said that directions had already been given to concerned officers to identify the eligible beneficiaries as per the criteria fixed by the government. She said that these cattle sheds would not only motivate the small and marginal farmers towards dairy but also enhance their income.
The Administration has also facilitated registered workers under MGNREGS with requisite man-days even during lockdown with strict adherence of health safety protocols especially social distancing, she added. The workers under MGNREGS have been engaged in different works including flood control, water conservation, plantation, works related to village ponds, cleaning of canals/drains, village roads and other maintenance works in rural areas. Riyait pointed out that earlier under the scheme, individuals were contributing 40-per cent and rest 60-per cent was being incurred by the government but this year, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had abolished the condition of 40-per cent to help the small and marginal farmers amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Pertinently, under MGNREGS each eligible household is being provided with 100-mandays with daily wage of Rs. 263 to each beneficiary.
