Chandigarh, June 11- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while inaugurating the construction of works worth Rs. 2,600 crores at the India International Horticulture Market said that this is not just a building, but a vision, which will double the income of the farmers. He added that along with the farmers, it will prove to be very beneficial for fruit and vegetable producers, common public and traders.

Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal was addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the second phase of works at India International Horticulture Market, Ganaur on National Highway No.-44 on Sunday. 

On this occasion, he also laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth about Rs. 55 crores. Among these, a vegetable market to be built in Bhiwani at a cost of Rs. 495 lakhs, construction of a new grain market at Siwani in Bhiwani at a cost of Rs. 1,204.03 lakhs, development of Munak purchase centre in sub-yard at Assandh in Karnal at a cost of Rs. 894.94 lakhs.

Construction and additional market for the development of vegetable market, grain market and wooden market at a cost of Rs. 2,481.38 lakhs in Sirsa and purchase centre in Kanwarpura village at a cost of Rs. 192.56 lakhs in Sirsa and Laid the foundation stone of the construction work procurement centre at village Sherpura, Sirsa at a cost of Rs. 224.47 lakhs.

During this, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal informed about the expansion of Horticulture Market and said that it will become the biggest market not only in India but also in Asia.

This will give special benefits to the buyers and sellers of the states of North India. This market will be prepared as the best alternative to Azadpur, in which all kinds of facilities will be provided. He said that this initiative will directly strengthen the economic condition of Haryana. Mandi will play a special role in fulfilling the target set by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi to double the income of farmers. Along with this, he said that the works will be expanded at a cost of Rs. 3,000 crores. The tender works worth Rs. 2,600 crores will be completed within two years. Along with Haryana, farmers and traders from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand will be able to take advantage of the market. 

The Chief Minister announced that the farmers producing vegetables would be given subsidies at the rate of Rs. 5,000 per acre for three years. Its area and time period can also be increased as per the requirement. He said that at present vegetable production is being done on three thousand acres in Ganaur block, which should be further increased. He said that in the nine years under the leadership of the Prime Minister, unprecedented decisions have been taken in the interests of farmers.

Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal also made important announcements for sunflower producing farmers. He said that in view of recent challenges faced by the sunflower farmers, it has been decided that an oil factory will be set up on four acres of land in Kurukshetra, which will have a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes. He said that Maharana Pratap Horticulture University in Karnal will start next year, which will give special benefits to the farmers. Along with this, he informed that Ganaur railway station is just one kilometer away from Horticulture Market, from where there will be a facility to transport fruits and vegetables etc. products. If required, a separate station will also be made for Mandi.

During this, Haryana's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh. JP Dalal expressed gratitude to Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while congratulating the farmers for the launch of the second phase of Horticulture Market. He said that this mandi will bring a big change in the lives of the farmers in terms of economic conditions.

There will be a business of 40 to 50 thousand crore rupees annually. Along with this, lakhs of people will also get employment. He said that during the tenure of our government, an amount of about Rs. 23,000 crores have been paid to the farmers, which includes benefits of other schemes including insurance compensation. For the first time, farmers have been paid compensation for damage in just two months, whereas in the previous governments they had to wait for years. Compensation amounting to about Rs. 200 crores have been deposited in the accounts of the farmers for damage caused due to the recent unseasonal rains.

During this, MP, Sh. Ramesh Kaushik also addressed the people and congratulated them for the launch of the second phase of the market.

Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal gave detailed information about the expansion of the market in the inaugural speech.

On this occasion, Gannaur MLA, Smt. Nirmal Choudhary, MLA, Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli, Former MLA, Dr. Pawan Saini, BJP District President, Sh. Tirath Rana along with officers and dignitaries were present.