Chandigarh, February 15 - Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, the Haryana government has time and again reaffirmed its commitment to making beneficial decisions for the economic and social upliftment of farmers. Taking this commitment, a step further, the Chief Minister announced substantial financial assistance to farmers totalling more than Rs. 466 crore under various schemes for the welfare of farmers, reaffirming the government's dedication to supporting the backbone of the agricultural sector, farmers and ensuring their prosperity and progress.
Announcing the aid, while addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said that the present state government has always stood by farmer brothers, recognizing their invaluable contribution to the nation's growth and development. School Education Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal also remained present on this occasion.
Under Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, a sum of Rs. 177.84 crore have been given to farmers
Divulging the scheme-wise details, Sh Manohar Lal shared that today, under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana for millets, financial aid of Rs. 177.84 crores is being credited to the accounts of 2,50,470 farmers. In this scheme, at the rate of Rs. 300 per quintal, this amount is being given for an area of 7,40,985 acres. He said that this scheme was initiated in the year 2021. Before today, an amount of Rs. 870 crores has already been given under this scheme as Bhavantar Bharpai. Adding today's amount, a total of Rs.1047.84 crores have been given for millets so far.
The Chief Minister said that in addition to this, Bhavantar payments are also given for 21 horticultural crops. So far, an amount of Rs. 40.71 crores has been given for horticulture crops. Combining both scheme payments, a total of Rs. 1088.55 crores have been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers.
Mera Pani Meri Virasat Scheme
Under the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme, started for water conservation and crop diversification, the Chief Minister today directly transferred an amount of Rs. 25.10 crores into the accounts of 19,528 farmers. In this scheme, at the rate of Rs. 7,000 per acre is being given for an area of 35,842 acres. Before this, Rs. 118 crores had been given under this scheme.
He said that this scheme was initiated in the year 2020. With today's amount, a total payment of Rs. 143.50 crore has been given to farmers for sowing crops instead of rice.
Under the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) scheme, an incentive of Rs. 24.42 crores has been given
Sh. Manohar Lal further shared that today an amount of Rs. 24.42 crores has been transferred into the accounts of 6,621 farmers registered under the Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) scheme. In this scheme, at the rate of Rs. 4,000 per acre, this amount is being given for an area of 61,052 acres. Before this, an incentive payment of Rs. 47 crores had already been given under this scheme. He shared that this scheme was initiated in the year 2021. With today's amount, a total payment of Rs. 71.42 crore has been given to farmers for sowing rice using DSR.
Under the Natural Farming Scheme, Rs. 1.20 crore transferred to the accounts of 2,679 farmers
Sh. Manohar Lal stated that moving away from chemical-intensive agriculture and adopting natural farming is crucial. Therefore, the state government has implemented the Natural Farming Scheme. There are two components to this scheme. Under the first component, an incentive amount of Rs. 3,000 is given on the purchase of four plastic drums, and under the second component, a subsidy of Rs. 25,000 is provided on the purchase of indigenous cows.
Today, under the first component, an amount of Rs. 75 lakh is being credited to the accounts of 2,500 farmers, and under the second component, an amount of Rs. 45 lakh is being credited to the accounts of 179 farmers. A total of Rs. 1.20 crore has been deposited into the accounts of 2,679 farmers under both components.
For crop residue management, the In-Situ Management of Crop Residue Scheme started
The Chief Minister while sharing details about the tireless efforts being made for crop residue management in the state, shared that under the In-Situ Management of Crop Residue Scheme, farmers are given various incentives. He said that there are two components to this scheme. Under the first component, a 50 percent subsidy is given on the purchase of machinery, and under the second component, an incentive amount of Rs. 1,000 per acre is provided for making paddy straw bales.
Today, under this scheme, an incentive amount of Rs. 120 crore has been sent to the accounts of 11,007 farmers under the first component. In this scheme, 50 percent subsidy is being given to individual category farmers to prevent pollution from burning crop residues and 80 percent subsidy to Custom Hiring Centers on 11,007 machines. Before this, an amount of Rs. 584.28 crore has been given under this scheme. Combining today's amount, a total of Rs. 704.28 crore has been given so far.
In addition, under the second component of this scheme, an incentive amount of Rs. 117.74 crore has been deposited into the accounts of 1,36,345 farmers. Under this scheme, an incentive amount of Rs. 1,000 per acre has been given for making paddy straw bales for an area of 11,77,407 acres. A total of Rs. 276.94 crore have been directly deposited into the accounts of farmers after today's incentive amount. Thus, a total of Rs 980 crore has been given under both the components.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. V Umashankar, Chairman, Power Utilities Sh. PK Das, Commissioner and Secretary, SEWA Department Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department Sh. Vikas Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Smt. Ashima Brar, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Managing Director, UHBVN Dr. Saket Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, HKRNL Sh. Amit Khatri, Media Secretary Sh. Praveen Atreya, Chief Media Coordinator Sh. Sudesh Kataria and other officers also remained present on this occasion.