Modi demands Task Force for PDS Network Technological Reforms
Modi demands Task Force for PDS Network Technological Reforms
New Delhi, 6 February, 2010
Modi at Delhi in Chief Ministers conference called by PM
Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi vehemently criticized the UPA Government for failing to curb inflation in the Conference of Chief Ministers on Prices of Essential Commodities held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of India.
Gujarat CM said that he was surprised that the issue of inflation is a national importance, however Government of India, instead of adopting an integrated and holistic approach could not rise on the need of the hour with united voice and collective vision.
The long awaited meeting convened by GOI should be an opportunity to convince the people of India that Government of India was all serious to control price rise and with proactive approach shown by state governments will evolve comprehensive and effective action plan in short, medium and long terms to address price issues of food security and inflation, but it was miserably failure,
Shri Narendra Modi said that prices of essential commodities have increased all time high and touched the sky and it is not only limited to BPL strata of society but even high rise prices of cattle feed has adversely affected the animals. Still GOI’s unholistic approach has unfortunately failed to create any confidence in the people.
Referring to Planning Commission’s report, Shri Modi said that 10% of food grains get wasted every year. These are preventable post harvest losses of food grains estimated about 20 million tonnes annually. Similarly, about 30 % of farm produce is stored under open conditions leading to wastage and distress sale. Government of India is really concerned that such food grains getting rotted and wasted could have been provided to the poor and needy people of this country? Has the Ministry of Finance taken any initiatives for development of agriculture infrastructure on a large scale and allocated fund for any such programme? He wanted to know from GOI and said that proper planning is required for preventing post harvest losses of farm production. The Centre has failed to keep its promise of controlling inflation.
Gujarat CM made a suggestion for PDS reforms. He said that GOI should set up a special task force with maximum use of technology and GPS system for strengthening Public Distribution System to ensure supply and distribution of food grains and essential commodities at the doorstep of consumers from the godowns. He added that Government of Gujarat has implemented an innovative initiative to transform Fair Price Shops into Village Shopping Malls making FPS network more viable.
Discussing on wasteland development for increasing agriculture production, Shri Narendra Modi suggested that GOI should undertake development of large tracts of waste land in the Private Public Partnership mode. He also mentioned that Gujarat is the first State of the country to get 21 rivers into a grid and start grid-cum-canal network successfully to become a role model for national approach for interlinking of rivers. GOI should take lead in implementing such an initiative across the country, he suggested. He lamented Central Government’s indecisiveness on the permission for construction of gates on Narmada Dam, which is only last phase of Sardar Sarovar Project.
Chief Minister of Gujarat reminded UPA Government as to what have they done to fulfil the promises given to poor masses and BPL families? In election manifesto UPA Government had promised food grains to poor family card holders at the rates of Rs.3/- per kg. Even not a single Community Kitchen Centre for urban poor has been started in any of the big cities.
Regarding steps taken to prevent hoarding of essential commodities and enforcement proceedings under provision of EC&PBM Acts, he categorically said that while non-UPA ruled states carried out 83% raids and inspections to curb the hoardings, only 17% inspections done by UPA ruled state governments. What does this suggest? he asked.
Suggesting that the Government of India should come out with specific formula of BPL families, he demanded that there are various survey reports of number of BPL families but GOI, trying to reduce its commitment to supply food grains entitled by law to poor families at Rs.3/- per kg., is insisting on lower number of BPL. If it is serious, GOI should make a common number of BPL from various recommendations.
Stressing for agricultural infrastructure development with holistic support of water management and river grid network, Shri Narendra Modi said that farmers should be provided inputs as seeds and fertilizers at reasonable prices and chain of warehouses and cold storage to store and preserve farm produce with adequate market arrangement.
Shri Modi gave an example of Gujarat Government and said that his Government has devised such a coordinated approach for improving the agriculture and it has therefore transformed itself from a semi-arid region to one achieving very high growth rate of agriculture production. Gujarat took major initiatives for conserving water and making its most efficient use through drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. Gujarat Government’s efforts have helped in creating lakhs of water harvesting structures such as check dams, bori-bounds and farm ponds. Coupled with this, Gujarat took initiative for transfer of knowledge from lab-to-land and conducted mass programme for mobilization of farmers such as “Krishi Mahotsav” which has substantially improved extension, delivery and convergence of various schemes of the Government.
Gujarat has taken an integrated approach to improve farm income by focusing on the convergence of farming, animal husbandry and agro-forestry. Consequently, growth of agriculture in Gujarat has been more than 9% per annum for last several years, resulting in the rise in value of agriculture production from Rs.13,659 crores in 2000-2001 to Rs.49,036 crores in 2007-2008.
Gujarat Minister Shri Narottambhai Patel and other senior officers attended the meeting.
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I suggest Modi to not rule out clean and safe environment and sports as a metric of development.
The present crisis of lack of food supply is stemming from the miserable productivity in Agriculture because of poisonous quality of water and air. Plus the global warming effects can be felt. Add to that, the American/British firms are pushing corruption in their puppet Kangressi Government to sell their non-biological seeds that would render the farms infertile for the rest of the life of the farmers, a case in point is Vidharbha which overwhelmingly went with the BT seeds and now their farms cannot produce
Interlinking of river waters should be the first step but this foolish Rahul Gandhi is becoming a roadblock and does not understand economics.
And lastly sports and work-out has to be encouraged in a big way so that people learn to strive better.
Jay Shree Raam!
It is good that the waste land is being turned into green zones, however why is the sarkaar trying to make the most fertile delta land of Gujarat from Vapi to Ankleshwar zone as a wasteland??
In these regions there is a negative agricultural growth at a time when our population keeps on growing. Had the Gujarat Government acted wisely, it would had been a different story of 20% growth instead of just 9%. Modi should stop boasting and concentrate on the terrible terrible environmental situation in his so-called golden-corridor of Gujarat. So far in his 8 years of rule he has been proved powerless to address the problems of villages in the region. One day or the other BJP is going to see this in votes.
Jay Shree Raam!
hey, hari, what’s the point in repeating the same damn thing about rivers being poisoned,blah blah blah . even if your point is valid, repetition is superflous.
It is good to see Mr Modi gave fitting reply to FM Mr Mukharjee. Congress/UPA government is playing double role. Increase in food prices is systematic role of Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar who and his Party’s men are having direct or indirect ownership in foreign countries. By creating artificial shortages he played very big role in purchasing of wheat higher prices. Now he is having plan to make or forced to purchase a Chinies contaminated milk powder which is stocked in very huge quantity. Remember after MELAMINE contamination China’s milk products are banned by all the Countries and same is laying as wastage. It is reliably learnt that this waste of milk powder being allowed to get in the Country with heavy kickbacks to him/his part ymen. Even same that money may be used for funding the Maoist in most of the state. Such issues to be calculated brought into the eyes of people so they are atleast cautious for the cause of nation. Now it is up to media how they takes this issue.
Why these issues are not taken during meeting? Save the Country from these ruling corrupts.
Hari,
What do you smoke ? I want to give it a try
Looks like Modi has better plan for the issue then GOI.
We are truly a Model State in every department.
@Hari: 9% Agri growth is not bad at all considering National agri growth of 2.5-3%. We have to balance the growth b/w Industries and Agriculture.
Hari,
Can you quote the source if you have any, which stats the fact you mentioned above. I mean did you say most fertile land in Gujarat is from Vapi to Ankleshwar? I thought it was Mehsana, Sanand and North/mid Guajrat belt.
I hope you have been to Vapi and Ankleshwar and these places are chemical and industrial belt ever since I know their names, and trust me on that because I am a chemical engineer.
Also, did you say it could have been 20% rather then 9% , do you have any idea what are you talking about? I am in US right now and even US , being so developed, don’t dream of 10% agricultural growth?
I reall hate when they quote something that they don’t even know the facts.
Also, I don’t see the day of BJP getting less votes coming soon because, now people thank fully don’t listen to media, and thank god we have very less mindless people ..
And if you want to go on with this argument email me anytime and we can have a nice “Logical” conversation.
Also, are you trying to hide behind that “Jai Shri Ram” , if so please don’t spoil the name of Hindu religion please.
Hope I get some reply soon.
Jai Garavi Gujarat
Darshan
agree with darshan….people should refrain with loose comments without evidence…like hari did for fertile land region…
just to quote another example…’Abhishek Bachchan’ says Bollywood is one of the most unified Industries in the world….can you justify Mr Bachchan! i know you meant it is quiet unified…but in ‘world’…i know its not a big issue…but then it becomes a habit and gets us in a fix one day.
its time we are more precise and speak based on facts and evidence and our children should also learn to do this
I did reply to Darshanbhai, and produced links and facts with pictures but Deshgujarat is consistently gagging my replies on this post and deleting my comments.
You all need to get a first hand experience