Centre Urges Southern States to Expedite Centrally-Sponsored Schemes
The Centre has urged southern states to expedite the execution of centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS) by emphasizing the need for timely fund allocation and proper management of single nodal accounts (SNA-SPARSH). The Agriculture Secretary, Devesh Chaturvedi, highlighted the importance of state-level conferences in addressing region-specific agricultural challenges. The discussions took place during a two-day regional conference in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which concluded on November 19. Officials from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, and Puducherry participated in the conference to evaluate the progress of various schemes.
Annual Action Plan and Timely Releases
States were advised to finalize the annual action plan for the fiscal year 2025-26 by December. The aim is to enable timely release of the first installment by April 2025. The conference also emphasized the operationalization of SNA-SPARSH, the return of unutilized balances and interest, and prompt submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
Focus on Key Initiatives
During the conference, comprehensive discussions were held on major initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), Krishonnati Yojana (KY), and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The secretary emphasized the need for aggressive work towards farmer registry development, which he described as a “one-time task” that would yield significant benefits for both Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Other key topics that were discussed included the National Edible Oils Mission, Carbon Credits, Namo Drone Didi, e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), and Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
Closing with Open House Session
The conference concluded with an open house session where various issues were addressed. Tenure farming, improved sampling systems, intercropping, and organic farming were among the topics discussed during this session. State officials also had the opportunity to visit natural farming fields on November 19, where they observed various sustainable agriculture practices and drone spraying technology.
The Centre’s initiatives in collaboration with the southern states demonstrate a collective effort to support farmers and enhance agricultural development. These regional conferences play a crucial role in evaluating the progress of centrally sponsored schemes and planning future initiatives.
