MPs seek steps to mitigate problems of people in Bundelkhand

Cutting across party lines, members in the Rajya Sabha today asked the government to take urgent steps to mitigate the problems faced by farmers in the Bundelkhand region facing drought, with the Samajwadi Party seeking a Rs 1 lakh crore package for the purpose.
Bringing a private members' resolution, Vishambhar Prasad Nishad (SP) expressed serious concern over the problems faced by farmers and people of this region, comprising seven districts each in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, saying they were in distress due to crop losses on account of natural calamities and wild animals.
His contention was supported by members of the BJP, the Congress and the JD(U).

"The situation in Bundelkhand is very bad. The condition of people is miserable. Farmers are committing suicide and migrating," Nishad said, adding that the farmers were taking the extreme step as they are not able to repay the loans to banks and private money lenders.
Nishad asked the government to bring a package of Rs one lakh crore for the welfare of farmers and stop their migration and suicide. He said the government should also provide employment for 365 days under MNREGA from current 100 days.
The SP leader suggested that the government should create a water reserve and promote cultivation of crops that required less water, besides providing farm inputs at reasonable rates.

Nishad raised concern about huge crop losses due to wild animals and Nilgais and asked the government to take steps to solve this problem. He said arrangements should be made in every panchayat for an animal shelter centre and a Gaushala.

Apart from the package, Nishad demanded that small scale and cottage industries should be established in the region.
Anand Bhaskar Rapolu (Cong) also expressed deep concern over the distress in Bundelkhand region and demanded that a comprehensive programme should be announced for development of people and their livelihood.
He said there was widespread destruction of agricultural fields by Nilgais.

Supporting the resolution, Basawaraj Patil (BJP) said the government should consider it seriously.
However, he said there was a need to conduct survey for the entire region to understand the problem and find a long-lasting solution for the development of Bundelkhand.
Anil Kumar Sahani of JD(U) said this region was facing problem of water despite having five rivers which have been destroyed by the "sand mafia", and asked the government to take action against them.
Sahani said if these rivers get restored, then there would be no case of suicide. He also raised the issue of crop damage due to Nilgais.

Rajiv Shukla (Cong) talked about the historical importance of this region and said that there was a great potential for tourism sector that can boost people income.
He suggested that crops that require less water should be promoted and also said the 'Beedi industry' could become lifeline of this region.
Shukla said the UPA government had provided about Rs 7000 crore package for this region. "There is no benefit of package if there is no monitoring," he added.