Detailed plan on flood control in pipeline: Bahuguna

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today said the state government is working in tandem with the Centre on a detailed roadmap for flood control in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of 'Krishak Mahotsav' (farmers' festival) at Raipur in the city, Bahuguna underlined the need for effective flood control measures in Uttarakhand and said the state government will soon prepare an elaborate strategy in consultation with the Centre to combat floods.
Asserting that the state government is sensitive to the problems faced by farmers, he said they have been exempted from paying their electricity and water bills considering the losses they suffered during the recent deluge in the state.

Farmers in the state have also been exempted from repaying their loans for one year, he said.
The compensation to farmers has been hiked manifold, Bahuguna said adding it has been raised from Rs 225 per Naali (smallest unit of land measurement in Uttarakhand) to Rs 5,000 per Naali.
Noting that migration of youth from the hills in search of livelihood can be checked effectively by encouraging organic farming, horticulture and agriculture, the chief minister said agriculture needs to be made economically viable so that educated youth can be lured to the occupation.

Bahuguna also assured that effective steps will be taken to revive the subsidy given to farmers on purchase of agricultural equipment.

State Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat said agricultural land has narrowed down in the state over the years but its productivity has increased.
A Rs 11-crore proposal has been prepared to give a boost to organic farming in the state, he said.