Modi for fast-tracking of pro-farmer initiatives

The meeting, which was held today, follows yesterday's decision by the Union Cabinet in which amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, were cleared.

The amendments include the pro-farmer step of bringing 13 most frequently used acts for land acquisition for the Central Government projects into the purview of the Land Acquisition Act, thus benefiting a large number of farmers whose land is acquired for such projects.

Prime Minister Modi, who chaired a high-level meeting involving the ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development, called for a multi-pronged approach to the ultimate goal of providing irrigation for every farm through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.

The Prime Minister noted that NREGA had been used over the past few years for creation and augmentation of irrigation assets. He said that NREGA should be integrated with the overall plan of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. He also called for precise monitoring of outcomes in this regard.

At the macro-level, Prime Minister Modi asked the Ministry of Water Resources to identify river-interlinking projects that could be immediately taken up.

The Prime Minister called for comprehensive mapping and identification of water bodies across the country. He said satellite imagery and 3D photography could be used to guide villages to best possible sources of irrigation.

Prime Minister Modi has asked concerned departments to look into the possibility of identifying progressive farmers, who could take the lead in implementing water conservation and innovative irrigation techniques.

The Prime Minister has also called for integrating water recycling projects of key towns and cities, to irrigation in nearby rural areas. He emphasized the importance of generating consciousness among people towards water conservation.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh were present on the occasion.