Ranchi, Feb 06 : Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey has announced that the upcoming state budget will feature a special scheme for Kisan Didis aimed at empowering women in agriculture. The announcement comes amidst ongoing budget preparations and mounting rural unrest over the Union Budget 2025-26.
Minister Tirkey, addressing the media at Pashupalan Bhawan in Ranchi, stated, “There will be something special for Kisan Didi in this year’s budget,” signaling the government’s commitment to boosting the role of women farmers. She highlighted that the Agriculture Department has nearly finalized its preparations for this initiative, which is expected to be a significant component of the state’s developmental agenda.
The minister also announced that the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives Department’s budget preparation process will now be fully online, promoting transparency and efficiency in governance. Since taking office, she has convened monthly review meetings to ensure systematic planning and execution of departmental objectives.
In Jamshedpur, MNREGA Week was inaugurated with a ceremony at the Block Auditorium, attended by Block Chief Pani Soren, Deputy Chief Shiv Kumar, and Block Development Officer (BDO) Sumit Prakash. The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting and honored workers for their outstanding contributions under the MNREGA scheme during the financial year 2024-25.
Fifteen awards were distributed among laborers, mates, and other workers who demonstrated exceptional performance in achieving high average man-days per job card. The event underscored the importance of MNREGA in rural employment and development. Panchayat representatives, including heads from various Panchayats, were present to celebrate the workers’ achievements.
Meanwhile, protests erupted across rural Jharkhand as farmers and laborers voiced their discontent over the Union Budget 2025-26. Their grievances include the absence of provisions for Minimum Support Price (MSP), no loan waivers for farmers, reduced fertilizer subsidies, and no significant increase in MNREGA allocations.
Protests were held at Lal Building Area in Adardih Panchayat at 11 a.m. and later at Hari Mandir in Gordih Panchayat at 11:30 a.m. Villagers, led by the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Sangathan under the banner of the United Kisan Morcha, burned copies of the Union Budget to express their anger. Local leaders Radhanath Kumar and Ranjit Singh played pivotal roles in leading these demonstrations.
“The budget has failed to address the core concerns of the farming community,” said one protester. The demonstrations reflect growing dissatisfaction among rural workers, who feel left out of national policymaking.
The state government’s focus on Kisan Didis through the upcoming scheme is expected to complement existing initiatives like the Chief Minister Maaniyan Samman Yojana, which has already garnered attention for its focus on women. If implemented effectively, the new scheme could strengthen the role of women in agriculture and rural development.
In addition to these announcements, the recognition of exceptional workers under MNREGA highlights the state’s commitment to rural employment. By celebrating high-performing laborers, the government aims to encourage better participation and productivity in its flagship rural development program.
Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey has emphasized the importance of transparency in governance, with the online preparation of departmental budgets marking a step towards greater accountability. Her regular review meetings have ensured that key sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, and cooperatives receive focused attention.
While Jharkhand gears up to unveil its women-centric agricultural scheme, the unrest over the Union Budget reveals a gap between rural aspirations and national policy. The protests underscore the pressing need for targeted support for farmers and laborers, while the state government’s initiatives highlight its focus on inclusive growth.
The coming months will be critical as the Agriculture Department finalizes its budget and launches its much-anticipated scheme for Kisan Didis. Amidst challenges, Jharkhand’s efforts to empower women and honor rural workers continue to shape its developmental narrative.
