Context:
The Union Government has constituted Chief Ministers Subgroup to coordinate policy approaches for agriculture sector and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Why needed?
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CMs Subgroup formation comes in backdrop of vision of Central Government towards Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022 which requires multi-dimensional and inclusive approach.
Terms of Reference of the Sub-Group
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It will suggest wider choice of State specific interventions both for pre-sowing and post-harvest to improve thrust on incomes, waste to wealth and water conservation.
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It will align works under MGNREGS to requirements of achieving goal of Doubling Farmers’ Income by 2022.
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It will help to improve thrust on individual beneficiary schemes, water conservation, construction of rural haats, vermi-composting etc.
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It will make recommendations on interventions of MGNREGS that can facilitate reduction of agrarian distress including work availability, wage rates, seasonality etc.
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It will also explore possibilities of MGNREGS as livelihood resource for development and diversification of livelihoods of small and marginal farmers specially belonging to SC/ST households.
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It will suggest ways of aligning MGNREGS and its livelihood thrust with women Self Help Groups (SHGs), producer companies and producer groups to enable better use of resources for livelihood.
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It will explore successful convergence of program resources across departments to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, optimal fund utilization and sustainability.