Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on September 1 has initiated the direct benefit transfer of newly introduced FOCUS+ scheme to 1200 households in the state.
The initiative aims to provide benefit to every farming household of the state.
The government disbursed funds amounting to Rs 32.30 lakh under FOCUS Farmer’s Welfare Programme and Rs 12.69 lakh under of ‘FOCUS+ Benefit Scheme’ benefitting close to 2,000 farmers.
In addition, funds totalling Rs 11.60 lakh were distributed to 23 groups under the YESS Meghalaya Youth Empowerment Programme. YESS is a scheme launched to nurture the youth by empowering of youth organisations working towards social welfare and sports.
Under the rural backyard piggery scheme, PROGRESS, 76 piglets were distributed to pig rearers based out of East Garo Hills district. PROGRESS will benefit 10,000 farmers and will improve economic conditions of farming households of Meghalaya.
The distribution event was held at Williamnagar in presence of nearly 5,000 citizens along with Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs, Kaushal Kishore.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Conrad Sangma said: “In these 4.5 years from being one of the worst states we have become one of the best performing states in several sectors. Our progress has been recognized at national and international level few examples like awards in tourism, water supply, UN award for IT initiatives and many more. However, momentum needs to be continued and more needs to be done. No other day, but the birth anniversary of late PA Sangma; could not have been more apt for inaugurating the mega Williamnagar urban water supply project sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 121 crore under AMRUT 2.0 with central assistance. The project has capacity to serve 1.42 lakh people which is the projected population of Williamnagar in 10 years.”
“To ensure farmers and youths prosperity, we have started direct benefit transfer under FOCUS+, YESS Meghalaya Programmes respectively. I urge all eligible citizens to enrol and take benefits of the various schemes of MDA government,” Sangma added.
