Chandigarh, December 24 – The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal led the Haryana government today paid tribute to the farmer leader Chaudhary Charan Singh, Prime Minister of India, popularly referred to as the 'Champion of Farmers’ on his birth anniversary by organizing an 'Anndata Sammelan' in village Singhani district Bhiwani today.

Addressing a large crowd at the 'Anndata Sammelan', the Chief Minister said that Chaudhary Charan Singh made pivotal contributions to the welfare of farmers and labourers. He also highlighted his government's unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers.

“The present State Government is also pro-farmer and agriculture and farmers continue to be the focal points of state policies, with numerous ongoing welfare schemes aimed at benefiting the farming community. The government has been constantly implementing continuous welfare schemes for farmers, benefiting them,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Highlighting the transformation of the region, the Chief Minister shared insights from his visits during the years 1982-84 when sand dunes covered the roads. Through the collective efforts of local farmers and the implementation of advanced micro-irrigation systems, the once arid land has flourished into a fertile and productive agricultural landscape, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Highlighting the exceptional dedication of Chaudhary Charan Singh to the cause of farmers, the Chief Minister noted the leader's bold decision to part ways with Congress in 1967 to establish a new political entity exclusively focused on the well-being of farmers.

Sh. Manohar Lal provided historical context by recalling Chaudhary Charan Singh's visionary call for a farmer census in 1971. He said that Chaudhary Charan Singh advocated for tailoring all government schemes to benefit small and marginal farmers, who constituted 51 percent of the total farmer population at that time. Today, the number of small farmers has surpassed 80 percent, presenting a formidable challenge that requires collective efforts to enhance the income of farmers, he said.

Farmers should be cautious of those who play politics in the name of farmers, CM

The Chief Minister also highlighted the need for collaborative endeavours to promote agriculture and commended the government's persistent efforts in this regard. He said that farmers should be vigilant and informed about political involvement in their issues. He cautioned the farmers to identify such individuals involved in politics by staging protests and blocking roads in the name of farmers.

The Chief Minister assured the fulfillment of demands put forth by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. J.P. Dalal said that a study of their viability would be conducted with officers, and they would be fulfilled according to the process.

He said that the government has undertaken numerous initiatives for the welfare of farmers. Even today, development projects worth Rs. 112 crores have been inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for the Loharu legislative constituency. In the past 9 years, the state government has approved Rs. 13,800 crores for development projects in the Bhiwani district, with Rs.10,400 crores already spent, and the remaining projects are in the pipeline. Additionally, Rs.3927 crores have been approved for the Loharu legislative constituency, with Rs. 2,421 crores already spent and projects worth Rs. 1,500 crores are in the pipeline, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has implemented many schemes for administrative reforms that are benefiting the villages. Farmers no longer need to wander for any work; they just need to register their crops on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal’. The government will handle the sale, and after the purchase, the money is directly transferred to the farmers' accounts, he informed.

Sh. Manohar Lal also highlighted the introduction of new systems in agriculture in the era of information technology. Previously, farmers had to work hard to spread urea on crops, but now drones are being used for urea application. About 15 percent of farmers have started using this technology. Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has urged women working in the fields to use this technology, and therefore, this initiative is called ‘Namo Drone Didi’, said the Chief Minister.

He also shared the details regarding the ongoing programs in Kurukshetra for the past seven days celebrating IGM and participating in events with saints and spiritual leaders. Farmers are no less than saints, as they serve the people by producing food. Farmers are the embodiments of sacrifice, a trait that only a saint can possess, he emphasized.

Agriculture Minister puts forth demands before the Chief Minister, suggesting the construction of bypasses in Loharu, Siwani, and Bahal

On this occasion, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Sh. J.P. Dalal, while presenting the demands of the residents before the Chief Minister, said that discussions should be held with the central government to construct a Greenfield Expressway in this area. Additionally, the construction of bypasses for Loharu, Siwani, and Bahal, as well as the establishment of industrial parks in 100-100 acre areas in Siwani and Loharu, should be undertaken.

He said that discussions should be held with the Central government to grant Scheduled Caste (SC) status to the 'Nayak' community.  The Minister said that on the national level, a "Kisan Ratna" award should be instituted in the name of Chaudhary Charan Singh, similar to the Bharat Ratna award. Furthermore, he suggested that, similar to how Sahityakar and filmmakers are separately nominated in Parliament, 2-3 leaders advocating for farmers' interests should also be nominated.

Union and State governments are working to financially strengthen the farmers, Nayab Singh

Speaking on the occasion, Lok Sabha MP and BJP State President, Sh. Nayab Singh said that Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal is a leader who cares about farmers, constantly working towards increasing farmers' income. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, both the Central and State governments are working to strengthen the economic condition of farmers.

He said that the Manohar Sarkar is giving the highest prices to the sugarcane farmers by providing sugarcane at the rate of Rs. 386 per quintal. During the ten years from 2004 to 2014, the previous government provided only Rs. 1,158 crore as compensation for crops damaged due to natural disasters. However, the Manohar Lal-led government, in the last nine years (from 2014 until now), has directly transferred Rs. 11,000 crore to the accounts of farmers as compensation, said Sh. Nayab Singh.

He said that earlier, farmers had to take their produce to the market, and the money would not come for six months. However, the Chief Minister has ensured that money reaches the accounts of farmers within 72 hours. He further highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs. 7,612 crore was transferred into the accounts of 2.9 lakh farmers in the last nine years. Before 2014, only 33,507 hectares of land in the state were under micro-irrigation, but under the Manohar government, micro-irrigation is implemented on 4, 26,636 hectares of land.

Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal, Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, former Chief Minister of Tripura and In-charge BJP Haryana, Biplab Kumar Deb, Lok Sabha MP and BJP State President, Sh. Nayab Singh, MP, Ch. Dharambir Singh, MP Lt.Gen.(Retd) DP Vats, Sh. Ram Chander Jangra, MLA, Sh. Ram Kumar Gautam, Sh. Ghanshyam Saraf, Sh. Sombir Sangwan, Sh. Bishamber Valmiki, officers of District administration and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.