CCEA approves two farm schemes

The Agriculture Ministry has already identified the districts that will be covered under the mission. For pulses, it is also proposed that an additional 20 per cent cropped area would be created.

As for the Additional Central Assistance Scheme, states would have to draw up comprehensive district-wise and state-level plans to seek funds that would be provided as 100 per cent grant by the Centre. The CCEA also cleared an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore for the scheme for 2007-08 along with an allocation of Rs 25,000 crore for five years.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who announced the decisions after the CCEA8217;s meeting on Thursday evening, said, 8220;We hope that the states will avail the benefits of the Additional Central Assistance Scheme and will also assist the Centre in implementing the Food Security Mission.8221;