The Meghalaya government on Thursday approved setting up of a commission to look into the problems faced by farmers.
The State Cabinet approved the proposal made by the Agriculture Department to set up a Farmers’ Commission, in line with the resolution passed at the ‘farmers’ parliament’, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.
The ‘farmers’ parliament’, the first of its kind in the country, was organised here last December and attended by scientists, bureaucrats, apart from farmers, to discuss issues related to the agriculture situation in the State.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had then announced setting up a commission to address the concerns of the farming community.
Mr. Tynsong also said that the government was planning to observe 2020 as the year of farmers.
The State Cabinet also approved a draft policy on persons with disabilities. The policy is based on the national policy for empowerment of persons with disabilities, Mr. Tynsong said, adding that it is about their right to reservations in education and jobs.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Tysong also said that Mr. Sangma will meet Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in June to discuss development projects along the inter-State border and find a resolution to the border dispute between the two States. The last meeting between the Chief Ministers of the two States was held on April 1, 2017.