After a gap of two years, the Chief Minister Tractor Distribution Scheme has been reintroduced in Jharkhand. Under this scheme, agricultural equipment worth Rs. 4 crore was distributed at a program held at the Harivansh Tana Bhagat Indoor Stadium in Khelgaon, Ranchi. The distribution included large tractors, mini tractors, solar pump sets, normal pump sets, and other agricultural machinery.
A notable highlight was the enthusiastic participation of women’s self-help groups, surprising many. The department has also provided tractor training to women beneficiaries.
The program was organised by the Directorate of Land Conservation under the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperative, and was inaugurated by the Departmental Minister Ms. Shilpi Neha Tirkey. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, “The Chief Minister Tractor Distribution Scheme will serve as a milestone in empowering farmers and transforming them from labourers into entrepreneurs. Since assuming office, farmers in the villages had been demanding the revival of this scheme, and today it has been relaunched.”
Ms. Tirkey urged farmers to become alert and aware in order to avail benefits from departmental schemes. Under this scheme, the government provides 50% subsidy on large tractors and 80% subsidy on mini tractors. To benefit from the scheme, eligible farmers must contribute their share through an escrow account.
Issuing a word of caution, the Minister warned farmers against middlemen, stating, “Since the scheme’s launch, middlemen have become active. Do not fall for fraudulent phone calls promising benefits under the scheme. Never make online payments to any unknown person based on their instructions. This message needs to be widely spread in villages to prevent any citizen from being duped.”
She also informed that multiple farmer-centric schemes are currently being run by the department. Under the Kisan Samriddhi Yojana, 2,100 beneficiaries have already been covered, and the target is to reach 8,000 farmers. This scheme has helped simplify irrigation for many farmers across the state.
Addressing the event, Kanke MLA Mr. Suresh Baitha appreciated the Agriculture Minister’s efforts and said, “The department is working well in areas like milk production, fish farming, cattle distribution, poultry, and duck rearing. The Minister has revived a scheme that was non-functional for the last two years. Beneficiaries can now avail the scheme based on subsidy. Malpractices will not be tolerated in the department.”
During the event, 32 beneficiaries received large tractors, 2 received mini tractors, 2 received solar pump sets, and 55 received normal pump sets.
Also present on the occasion were Mr. Ashok Samrat, Director of the Land Conservation Department; Mr. Mr. Ravishankar Vidyarthi, Joint Secretary; Mr. Vikas Kumar, Director of Sameti; Mr. R.P. Singh, Executive Director; and district-level land conservation officers.
