Collector distributes farm inputs to Retired Defence personnel

Collector distributes farm inputs
The Hindu VELLORE, June 14, 2011
Welfare assistance worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed at public grievances day meet

S. Nagarajan, Vellore Collector, distributing a power sprayer to a farmer at the Collectorate in Vellore on Monday.— Photo: D.Gopalakrishnan
Distribution of agricultural inputs worth Rs.30,000 to 16 farmers and sports incentives worth Rs.69,500 to 13 best sportspersons in schools and colleges were among the welfare aids worth Rs.3,27,750 distributed by S. Nagarajan, Collector of Vellore to 45 beneficiaries at the weekly public grievances day meeting at the Collectorate here on Monday.

Quality agricultural inputs including power sprayers, certified seeds and bio-fertilizers are being distributed to farmers in all the 20 blocks in Vellore district at a subsidised cost from May 30 to June 15 to enable them to take up cultivation during the current kharif season. Agricultural extension staff members are visiting one village in each of the 20 blocks in the district every day, and distributing inputs directly to the farmers. The Agriculture Department aims to cover 300 villages during the kharif campaign lasting 15 days. At the public grievances redressal day meeting held on Monday, the Collector distributed agricultural inputs on behalf of the Agriculture Department to farmers in Vellore, Kaniyambadi, Katpadi, Anaicut and Sholinghur blocks.

On behalf of the Sports Development Authority of India, the Collector distributed cheques of Rs.5000 each to 10 school students and Rs.6500 each to three college students. Other aids distributed by the Collector include marriage assistance of Rs.8000 each to three persons on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare, cheques for Rs.1.35 lakh by way of marriage assistance to six inter-caste couple, sewing machines worth Rs.3000 each to two persons and Rs.50,000 by way of accident relief to one person on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare, and wheel-chairs worth Rs.3250 each to three persons and a tricycle worth Rs.3500 to one person on behalf of the Department of Differently-Abled.

The Collector received 723 petitions from the public on the occasion. The petitions were forwarded to the departments concerned. After proper scrutiny, aids would be given to the eligible petitioners.

Ettiyappan, Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), Santha, District Supply Officer, Gomathi, District Social Welfare Officer, K. Madhimaran, District Sports Officer, Manivannan, Assistant Director of Ex-Servicemen's Welfare and K. Thamizhchelvan, Joint Director of Agriculture-in-charge, participated.
Collector distributes farm inputs

Fragging and Dissatisfaction

Zila Sainik Boards (associations of ex-servicemen) have been asked to liaise closely with the district administration to ensure soldiers serving as well as ex- servicemen problems are addressed timely. However,the Soldiers application generally are delayed in the bureaucratic wrangle. The District Collectors show an indifferent attitude in timely resolution of Soldiers woes.
There is a urgent requirement for the civil administration to address problems faced by the serving soldiers/ ex- servicemen and their kin on priority. With the fragmentation of land holdings, a large number of soldiers serving as well ex- servicemen get bogged down by property disputes with close relatives and care- takers. The increasing lawlessness in rural areas is affecting their families and adding to their worries. The concerned civil administration departments need to understand that the serving soldiers cannot get leave beyond a prescribed limit and must therefore resolve to provide a helping hand. Similarly ex- servicemen in their twilight years do not have the strength to fight for their rights to get back rightfully the landed property as care- takers/ lessee's usurp the land holdings.
In the past, recommendations of commanding officers to the district administration about problems being faced by personnel under their command carried weight, but now they are largely overlooked. Similarly earlier ex- servicemen could approach the State Governments to have their lands released from lessee's/ care takers. At present the applications move up the ladder at snails pace if at all it moves! This must be corrected and an institutional arrangement set in place to give due consideration to the problems faced by serving soldiers as well ex-servicemen.