Shetkari Vihir Yojana – Hello friends, welcome to today’s new article. Today, we will discuss an important decision by the government. This information is crucial for you. It is great news for the farmers of Maharashtra, as the government is now providing a grant of ₹4 lakh for well construction. Let’s explore the details of this scheme.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), farmers can now receive a grant of up to ₹4 lakh for well construction. This scheme offers a golden opportunity for farmers in the state to build their own wells for irrigation. Let’s find out who is eligible for this scheme. Make sure to read this article till the end for complete details.
Table of Contents
The Government of Maharashtra has made an important decision to enhance irrigation facilities for farmers in the state. According to the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA) study, an additional 3,87,500 wells can be dug in Maharashtra.
Objective of the Scheme
The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to farmers for constructing their own wells for irrigation. This will allow them to cultivate throughout the year without depending on rainfall, increasing crop production. Additionally, under MGNREGA, it will create employment opportunities in rural areas. Now, let’s find out who is eligible for this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme
- Families below the poverty line (BPL)
- Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Nomadic and Denotified Tribes
- Widows or women-headed families
- Marginal farmers
- Small landholding farmers
- Beneficiaries of the Indira Awas Yojana
- Families of persons with disabilities
Work Duration
If you qualify for this scheme and your well construction begins, here’s the timeline for completion:
After verification of applications at the Gram Panchayat level, eligible applications will receive administrative approval.
A period of two years will be given for well construction.
In case of delays due to floods, droughts, or other natural disasters, the duration can be extended up to three years.
Currently, applications for this scheme must be submitted to the Gram Panchayat. However, the government will soon introduce an online application process to allow farmers to apply digitally.
Required Documents
- Applicant’s Aadhaar Card
- 8-A extract
- 7/12 land extract
- Applicant’s consent letter
- Agreement of participating farmers (for community wells)
- Copy of MGNREGA Job Card
Currently, applications must be handwritten and submitted to the Gram Panchayat. The government has provided a sample format for the application and consent letter. Since the geographical conditions of various districts in Maharashtra differ, separate committees will be formed for each district to determine the economic and technical aspects of the wells. According to government guidelines, each beneficiary farmer can receive a maximum grant of ₹4 lakh.
Important Terms and Conditions
- It is mandatory to have an MGNREGA Job Card.
- The applicant must own at least one acre of agricultural land.
- The land should not have an existing well, nor should there be any well entry on the 7/12 extract.
- The well must be at least 500 meters away from a drinking water well.
- The distance between two wells should be at least 150 meters.
- For SC/ST and BPL families, some criteria may be relaxed.
- For community wells, at least 40 gunthas of land is required collectively.
Benefits of the Scheme
- Free Irrigation Facility – Farmers will have access to water for irrigation without cost.
- No Dependency on Rainfall – Having their own wells will allow farmers to cultivate throughout the year, irrespective of rainfall.
- Increased Production – Regular irrigation will enhance agricultural productivity.
- Year-Round Farming – Farmers can continue cultivation throughout the year.
- Economic Growth – Increased yield will boost farmers’ income.
- Employment Generation – Well construction will create job opportunities in rural areas.
Challenges
- In some areas, the groundwater level is deep, leading to increased well construction costs.
- The government has set different criteria for various districts.
- Due to low digital literacy in rural areas, some farmers may face difficulties in online applications.
- The government is working to simplify the online application process.
The above information is crucial for farmers. If you meet the eligibility criteria and have the necessary documents, you can apply for this scheme. Stay tuned for more updates on government schemes, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family!