Chandigarh, October 6- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing a press conference held here today announced the opening of a kshatipurti portal for cotton crop losses due to pink bollworm in certain districts of the state. He said that the compensation will be provided at a rate ranging from Rs. 7,000 to 15,000 per acre. Similarly, for farmers who re-sowed paddy due to losses caused by flooding, compensation will be provided at a rate of Rs. 7,000 per acre, he announced.
He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, clusters were formed by insurance companies, but not all areas were covered, and banks deduct premiums on crop loans. Complaints have been received, and discussions will be held with banks to provide a special package of Rs. 15,000 per acre to address this issue. Farmers who did not take out crop loans will receive compensation as per the rules of the Revenue Disaster Management Department, said the Chief Minister.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Meri Fasal-Mera Byora portal previously registered only crops that were purchased on the MSP. Farmers can now register 100 percent of their acre, even if the land is left vacant. The Minimum Support Price for bajra is Rs. 2,500 per quintal. Bajra is being procured by HAFED at a rate of Rs. 2,200 per quintal. The government is providing compensation of Rs. 300 per quintal to bridge the price difference under the Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana. NAFED has also decided to procure 2.5 lakh metric tons of bajra. The government has requested an increase in this quota. It is estimated that 6 lakh metric tons of bajra will be produced in the state this year.
Kharif procurement process continues smoothly in Haryana mandis
Divulging the details about the procurement of paddy and Bajara (Millet), the Chief Minister said that the procurement process for the kharif season is progressing smoothly in mandis across the State. So far, more than 21 lakh metric tons of paddy and over 26 lakh quintals of bajra (millet) have arrived. Out of this, 13.73 lakh metric tons of paddy and 22.31 lakh quintals of bajra have been purchased, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
He further shared that a payment of Rs. 1985 crores has been made to farmers for paddy and Rs. 148.13 crores for bajra so far.
Regarding the burning of crop residues, the Chief Minister shared that incidents have been decreasing each year. Crop residues are being utilized for making ethanol, energy generation, and other commercial purposes. Farmers are being provided with incentives for balers, transportation, and financial support. Approximately 200 complaints of stubble burning have been received this year, he shared.
Responding to a question regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Chief Minister stated that Haryana is leading among the larger states in GST collection. Due to the online system, data is also being received from other states.
Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, Sh. Arun Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Sh. AK Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Chairman, Power DISCOMS, Sh. PK Das and other officers also remained present on this occasion.