PUDUCHERRY: Rain relief of Rs 4000 per affected family has been distributed to 98 percent of the families and the relief to pending 6000 beneficiaries in Puducherry and 9000 beneficiaries in Karaikal would be distributed soon, said Chief minister N Rangasamy. The government has spent RS 21 crores in distribution of relief so far, he said .
Speaking at the inaugurating of 30 Flower, fruit vegetable show at Botanical gardens , organized by Department of Agriculture, he said Puducherry has lost a major chunk of its cultivable land to industry and other sectors in the recent past. The Government is trying to sustain our agricultural production by introducing new farm technologies, said Rangasamy. High yielding seeds and new farm machineries are being provided to achieve this target, he said.
He said he happy to see that Puducherry Farmers has taken to organic farming off late. The government has taken steps to promote organic cultivation, he said. Stating that government has always taken care to protect its farmers, he said Rs.23 crore has been given to farmers who lost their crops in recent rains and floods.The show aims to promote public to take up gardening and vegetable gardening in a big way. Previous shows has encouraged people in gardening is satisfying, he said.
In the 4 day show 15,000 flowering plants and foliage brought from outside the UT are being displayed. Another 15,000 plants raised in Green House at Lawspet by agriculture dept is also on display. Competition in various categories have been organized, at the end of which Flower King and Flower queen awards will be given to the all round winner.
Ministers P Rajavelu, PR Siva, Mihir Vardan secretary Agriculture too attended the colourful inaugural ceremony.