MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. The Commission has submitted its first interim Report titled
`Serving Farmers and Saving Farming` in December, 2004. It deals with integrated life
saving support programme for farm families facing acute distress, productivity and
livelihood enhancement in rainfed areas, a new deal for women in agriculture, strengthening
and expanding the horticulture revolution, enhancing productivity, quality and global
competitiveness of cotton, sustaining and expanding trade of farm commodities and its
sanitary and phytosanitary dimensions, village as knowledge centre and food and nutrition
security of livestock and livelihoods. The report also covers rehabilitation of fishermen
and farm families from distress due to TSUNAMI, empowerment of community based organizations
and Panchayati Raj institutions and administrative initiatives like creation of a Gram
Panchayat Mahila Fund for women.
The recommendations made in the interim report are not entirely in keeping with the Terms
of Reference of the Commission and the Government is in dialogue with the Commission on
this matter. Several recommendations made by the Commission are already covered under the
existing schemes of the Government and the schemes to be taken up in the annual plan for
this year. In respect of Village Knowledge Centers, the Finance Minister has already
announced in his Budget Speech that the initiative will be supported through NABARD.
The recommendations require examination by various Departments for which action has
been initiated.
