Bonanza for Farmers --- Hail the Chief Minister!

The Chief Minister Selvi. J.Jajalalitha announced a new scheme called ‘Farmer Protection Plan’ on September 10, 2011, to protect the interests of agriculturists and agricultural labourers including their family members. Under this scheme, the beneficiaries are those farmers directly involved in farming on 2.5 acres of irrigated land or 5 acres of unirrigated lands. The age limit is between 18 and 65 yrs. both in the case of farmers and laborers. Identity cards have been distributed in different colours to different categories under this plan. Under this plan, the children of the beneficiaries are entitled to education allowance at different rates for different courses of study. In addition to educational assistance, the State Government has made provision for the marriage of their children, old age pension, maternity assistance and death (caused by nature or accident) allowance. Even funeral rites can be undertaken with the state assistance. Under this plan, about 3 crore beneficiaries have been identified and selected as members out of which as much as 72.40 lakh households have received I.D. Cards. It is reported that about 7.96 lakh beneficiaries have been supported with Rs.910.82 crore of financial aid. Such a development can easily be termed as Bonanza for the maximum number of farmers and agriculture laborers involved in the farming throughout the State of Tamil Nadu. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++