Chandigarh, July 19 – Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that all the new initiatives taken by the Central Government and the State Government during the last 6 years are in the interest of farmers. With the two new ordinances namely the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020 brought by the Central Government recently, the farmer can sell his produce not only in his State but in the mandis of other states also. Thus, under the contract farming, he can enter into an e- agreement with any person or bank for his farm produce. Besides, now he will not be required to mortgage his land with the bank for the crop loan.
The Chief Minister was addressing a press conference here today.
He said that steps are being taken to realize Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's vision of doubling the farmers’ income by the year 2022. For the last two years, Minimum Support Price (MSP) is declared before the sowing of crops, he said adding that with this, the farmer can make up his mind in advance to sow the crop accordingly. He said that though the government would continue buying the crop in the mandis at MSP, in case the farmer gets price more than the MSP outside the mandis, then he can also sell his crop at a higher price. The gap in the price of crop would be compensated under the Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana, he added.
The Chief Minister appealed to the farmers to remain vigilant from those people who may try to mislead them on these Ordinances. He said that some leaders had been misleading the farmers on “Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana”, but now the farmers have understood and are coming forward to insure their crop.
The Chief Minister said that in the Rs 20 lakh crore economic package announced by the Central Government recently, Rupees one lakh crore has been kept for agricultural infrastructure including warehouses and agro-based industries. He said that schemes are being chalked out to ensure that farmers of Haryana get the maximum benefit from this package. He said that the State Government has decided to hire 17,000 Kisan Mitras, who will voluntarily advise the farmers on effective utilization of land and assist in better financial management.
The Chief Minister said that schemes are being formulated to ensure that farmers sell their produce as traders be it through FPOs or under their own brand. He announced that 2000 ' Retail Outlets' would soon be opened in villages and cities through the Cooperation Department, in which the youth of the village and town will work according to their abilities and skills. He said that these outlets will function as mini super markets. Apart from this, potable mineral water under brand name ‘Haryana Fresh’ is also being launched through the Public Health Engineering Department.
He said that some people had opposed “Mera Pani Meri Virasat Scheme” at the beginning which aims at water conservation so that the future generations do not suffer. He said that the government had targeted to sow other water-efficient crops in place of paddy in one lakh hectare area, but the farmers understood the importance of the scheme and have so far made registrations for 1,18,128 hectare area on Meri Fasal-Mera Byora portal for sowing alternative crops in place of paddy. Similarly, with a view to ensure that Soil Health Cards are available to the farmers close by, water and soil testing would be done in the laboratories in schools and colleges. He said that soil health cards will be issued every three years for 70 lakh acres of area in the state so that the farmers are aware of the fertility of their land and can sow the crops accordingly.
He said that in the last few days, connections have been issued for 13,000 to 14,000 agriculture pump sets in the State. He said that the farmers could also purchase motor upto 10 Hp . If the farmers have deposited the security with the Power Corporations, it would be returned to them along with the interest. Similarly, the Pashu Credit Card scheme has been implemented on the pattern of Kisan Credit Card and 1,40,000 cattle rearers have so far filled forms under the scheme.
The Chief Minister said that new schemes are being implemented to minimize the dependence of farmers on Arhtiyas. He said that this time a new arrangement was made in the procurement process of Rabi crops of wheat and mustard. Apart from this, for the first time payment to farmers has been made directly into their bank accounts. However, earlier payment to farmers was made through the Arhtias. He said that crop loan is being made available to farmers in the State at zero percent interest rate. Generally, the rate of interest on crop loan is 7 per cent out of which 3 percent is borne by the Central Government and 4 percent by the State Government.
In reply to a question regarding steps taken by the State Government for providing relief to the people during COVID-19, he said that financial assistance ranging from Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 to 16 lakh families have been provided by the government during this period be it under the Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana or through the Building Construction Workers Welfare Board. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, free ration would be distributed to needy families up to the month of November.
Among those present on this occasion included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. V. Umashankar, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. Bhupeshwar Dayal, Additional Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department (Administration) Ms. Varsha Khangwal and other senior officers of the State Government.