Chief Minister demands NABARD to increase annual normative allocation to one thousand crore
5 Dariya News
Shimla 20-Feb-2020
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has taken up the issue of increasing the annual normative allocation to the state with NABARD from existing Rs. 700 crore to at least Rs. 1000 crore for the financial year 2019-20.Chief Minister was presiding over a meeting held here today with the officers of NABARD.Jai Ram Thakur said that the increase in the allocation would enable the state to create agriculture related infrastructure in rural areas besides strengthening the road network in these areas. He also felt the need to delegate sanction powers to the Regional Office NABARD so as to expedite the sanctioning and implementation process of the projects under RIDF programme.Chief Minister said that due to difficult topography and adverse climatic conditions of the state, the NABARD should consider increasing phasing period for implementation of projects of tranche from existing four years to six years. This would reduce the number of non-starters and slow moving projects and also improve the reimbursement position of the state, he added.Jai Ram Thakur said that in order to help the state in faster execution and completion of projects in the state besides reducing time taken in paper works in respect of reimbursement claims, NABARD should consider increasing mobilization advance from current 30 percent to 50 percent.Chief Minister said that due to harsh climatic conditions, the road projects in the state usually take 6 to 10 years for completion, therefore, NABARD should contemplate to increase period for maintenance fund from 10 years to 15 years. He said that apart from this, maintenance fund should be provided at fixed rate of interest at less than four percent.
Jai Ram Thakur said that NABARD has created Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) to facilitate the states in mobilization resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation. He also urged the NABARD for increasing credit limit under Kisan Credit Card from Rs. three lakh to Rs. 6 -10 lakh.Chief Minister said that hydro power sector was the priority sector of the State Government, therefore, NABARD should consider funding execution of hydro power projects in the State. He said that tourism was yet another sector on the priority list of the Government for which he sought liberal assistance of NABARD. He said that there was immense scope for development of ropeways and other related infrastructure.Chairman NABARD Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala apprised the Chief Minister that NABARD was ensuring liberal funding for various developmental projects in the state. He said that apart from projects, related to irrigation, rural connectivity, drinking water, Pushp Kranti Yojna, Saur Sinchai Yojna and Mukhya Mantri Nutan Polyhouse Yojna, NABARD was funding several other projects in the state. He said that a project on ‘Sustainable Livelihoods of Agriculure-Dependent Rural Communities in Drought Prone Sirmaur District through Climate Smart Solutions’ was nearing completion with grant support of Rs. 20 crore.Dr. Bhanwala said that NABARD was also providing finances of Rs. 8.50 crore to Farmer Producer Organizations in all the districts of the State.Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Principal Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu and other senior officers of NABARD attended the meeting.