In a bid to boost the agricultural sector and provide employment opportunities in Maharashtra, the state government has announced plans for a Rs 4,000 crore bamboo cultivation project. The ambitious project, scheduled to commence next year, is aimed at increasing bamboo production and creating jobs for local farmers.
However, the announcement comes amidst concerns over the distribution of subsidies under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in Maharashtra. Union Minister Piyush Goyal, during a recent visit to the state, expressed his regret that the Rs 7 lakh per hectare subsidy provided under the EGS is not reaching farmers due to the indifference of some government departments.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister and other political leaders, including Nitin Gadkari and Ajit Pawar, have been vocal about their commitment towards farmers’ welfare and employment generation. The state BJP president Chandrakant Patil, while speaking about the bamboo project, said it would not only help in increasing forest cover but also provide a steady income to farmers.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has sought a report from the Maharashtra government regarding the distribution of subsidies under the EGS. The EC’s action follows complaints from several farmers and opposition parties about the non-receipt of subsidies.
The bamboo project is expected to create jobs for approximately 20,000 farmers in the first year, with the potential to employ many more in subsequent years. The project will be implemented across various districts of Maharashtra, including Nashik, Thane, and Palghar, among others.
As the state government works towards implementing this ambitious project, it remains to be seen if the subsidy issues under the EGS can be effectively addressed. The opposition parties, led by the Shiv Sena, have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, while the central government has assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure subsidies reach intended beneficiaries.
