PNS|Vijayawada
The Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister, Vasamshetti Subhash, highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of the agricultural sector during the District Review Committee (DRC) meeting held in Machilipatnam, Krishna district on Thursday. He stressed that the coalition government is placing strong emphasis on supporting farmers, who are the backbone of the nation.
Subhash urged district officials to organise meetings with farmers to discuss modern agricultural practices and crop varieties. He highlighted the need for educating farmers about various government subsidies available to them, noting that many are unaware and thus unable to take full advantage of these benefits.
The Minister noted that marginalised communities such as SCs, STs, and BCs are often left out of subsidy benefits due to a lack of awareness and directed officials to ensure that all eligible farmers, especially from weaker sections, receive full access to subsidies and are informed about them thoroughly.
Discussing crop insurance, the Minister stated that only 3,500 farmers had registered in this season and emphasised the importance of enrolment, pointing out that crop insurance can act as a safety net in adverse weather conditions. He warned that there should be no negligence regarding this matter and directed officials to raise awareness about crop insurance schemes.
Regarding the fisheries sector, the Minister instructed fisheries officers to coordinate with MLAs and provide timely updates before conducting village meetings. He also asked for proper execution of both aqua and non-aqua activities in sync with public representatives.
Highlighting progress in livestock insurance, the Minister expressed satisfaction that Krishna district ranks first in terms of claims, with a 95 per cent claim rate. He also called for awareness campaigns about the benefits of the e-Shram portal registration for unorganised workers.
Additionally, the Minister raised concerns about labour contractors failing to make proper ESI contributions for workers. He urged district administration to take this issue seriously and ensure strict compliance.
District in-charge Minister Kollu Ravindra, District Collector DK Balaji, MLAs and several district officials participated in the DRC meeting.
