Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma meets de-notified, nomadic communities; assures all-around development and economic support for farmers
Jaipur, May 18
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sunday reiterated his government's firm commitment to the all-round development and social upliftment of the De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic communities.
He emphasised that empowered women, educated youth, prosperous farmers, and a society free from social evils form the bedrock of the state's overall development.
The Chief Minister was addressing a delegation representing the Dhangar, Gadaria, Gadari, Gayari, and Pal Baghel communities at his official residence. During the meeting, CM Sharma also released a poster for the state-level celebrations marking the 301st birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilya Bai Holkar.
Paying tribute to the community's historical legacy, CM Sharma recalled the bravery of Veer Singh Baghel, who fought valiantly alongside Rana Sanga against Mughal invaders in the Battle of Khanwa. He described Punyashlok Ahilya Bai Holkar as an unmatched symbol of women's empowerment who guided the nation, urging the community to follow her ideals and contribute to nation-building.
The Chief Minister called upon the youth of the community to integrate modern technology into their traditional occupations of agriculture and animal husbandry. He also strongly advocated for minimising the use of chemical fertilisers in favour of organic farming.
Acknowledging the growing footprints of the community in administrative services, politics, defence, IT, and business, CM Sharma urged the younger generation to stay away from drug abuse and focus on higher education. "The government is ready to extend all possible support to youth dedicated to shaping the nation's future," he said.
Highlighting the welfare initiatives of the "double-engine government," the Chief Minister listed key achievements aimed at boosting the income of farmers and milk producers:
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has been increased from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000. Additionally, a bonus of ₹150 is being provided on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat, and daytime electricity is being supplied to farmers across 26 districts.
The government has launched the '1962' mobile veterinary service for free doorstep animal care. Under the National Livestock Mission, subsidies of up to ₹50 lakh are being provided for entrepreneurship, while ₹2,812 crore has been sanctioned for Gaushalas (cow shelters).
To provide economic security, 2,185 new milk producer cooperative societies and collection centres have been set up. Under the Mukhyamantri Dugdh Utpadak Sambhal Yojana, a subsidy of ₹1,383 crore has been distributed to nearly 5 lakh farmers.
Under the 'Saras Myra Yojana', financial assistance of ₹21,000 is given for the marriage of milk producers' daughters. Furthermore, interest-free loans worth ₹709 crore have been approved for 94,000 families under the Rajasthan Sahkari Gopal Credit Card Scheme, and over 20 lakh animals have been registered under the Mukhyamantri Mangla Pashu Bima Yojana.
The delegation, led by Dushyant Kumar Baghel, State President of the De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Federation, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the state budget allocations and continuous welfare efforts dedicated to their communities.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The emphasis on organic farming and reducing chemical fertilisers is much needed. Our traditional knowledge of animal husbandry combined with modern technology - that's the way forward! But what about land rights for nomadic communities? That's the real issue no one talks about.
Good gesture, but let's be honest - these are all existing central schemes with new names. The 'double-engine government' needs to focus on education and skill development for tribal youth, not just farm subsidies. Drug abuse is a serious issue in these communities - why no mention of de-addiction centres?
As someone from a pastoral community, I can say the mobile veterinary service '1962' is actually working well in our area. The Mukhyamantri Dugdh Utpadak Sambhal Yojana helped my family get a fair price for milk. But the paperwork for subsidies is too complicated for many older farmers who can't read. Need more field staff to help. 🙏
It's interesting to see how Indian states focus on community-specific welfare. Coming from the US, I rarely see such targeted outreach to pastoral groups. The Saras Myra Yojana for daughters' weddings is quite unique. But is the ₹21,000 assistance adequate given inflation? Hope it's indexed to actual costs.
CM Sharma is right to highlight Ahilya Bai Holkar - she truly was a visionary. But I wish he would also talk about land ownership for nomadic communities. Without pattas (land titles), all these schemes are just bandaids. The 94,000 families getting interest-free loans is good, but what about the lakhs more who are still un
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