Neelkanth Singh Munda raised the issue of non-payment of drought relief scheme benefits to farmers

Khunti, 29 February (Hindustan Reporter). Khunti BJP MLA Neelkanth Singh Munda once again cornered the government in the House over non-payment of benefits under the Chief Minister Drought Relief Scheme. The MLA said that 45 lakh 45 thousand farmers of the state had applied for the Chief Minister Drought Relief Scheme, but only 13 lakh farmers were given its benefit. On this, it was told by the departmental minister that under the Drought Relief Scheme (Kharif Crop Season 2022-23), about 33 lakh 63 thousand farmers had applied, out of which 13.66 lakh beneficiaries got the benefit of the Drought Relief Scheme. An amount of Rs 478.4 crore has been paid to the beneficiaries. This information was given by the departmental minister in response to a question asked by Khunti MLA Neelkanth Singh Munda in the Assembly on Thursday under a short reported question. The MLA asked whether it is true that the state has been declared a drought area and farmers have been provided help under the Chief Minister's Relief Scheme.

He asked that more than 45 lakh 45 thousand applications have been received in the state for assistance, but only 13 lakh farmers have been provided assistance. On this, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department informed that in the Kharif crop season 2022-23, 226 blocks of 22 districts of the state were declared drought by the Home Affairs Disaster Management Department. Chief Minister Drought Relief Scheme was implemented in all the blocks declared drought. The scheme has been implemented in the remaining 38 blocks. It was informed by the government that 33 lakh 63 thousand 201 applications were received under this scheme, out of which Rs 478.4 crore has been paid to 13.66 lakh beneficiaries.

44 percent children in Khunti district are malnourished

During the Jharkhand Assembly session, MLA Neelkanth Singh Munda raised in the House the matter related to weakness due to malnutrition in 47.8 percent of children born in the state in the form of a starred question. 40 percent of malnourished children belong to the Scheduled Tribe category. The situation of malnutrition in Khunti is worrying. In response to the question, the Minister of Women, Child Development and Social Security Department said that 44 percent children in Khunti district are victims of malnutrition, which ranks sixth in the state. It was told that programs are being run to improve the health of malnourished children in 12 districts of the state. Malnourished children are being treated in 98 malnutrition treatment centres.