Chandigarh, March 10 - Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal today reiterated that the State Government would continue to procure  crops on Minimum Support Price (MSP) as earlier. Besides, the mandi system will continue in the State and would be further strengthened.

The Chief Minister in his reply just before voting on the no-confidence motion moved by the Congress party during the ongoing budget session here today said that the three new agricultural laws of the Central Government are optional and not mandatory in any way.

He said that from the very first day of our government, we have taken care of the interests of every section of the society, be it farmer, employees, youth, traders, labourers and have taken a number of welfare decisions for them. In first two years, I have visited all 90 assembly constituencies in the State and announced a number of developmental projects for every region without any discrimination, he added.

Mr Manohar Lal said that at present, 10 crops are being procured by the present state government at MSP which is much more than the number of crops being procured by the neighboring States. He said that even the MLA of ruling party in Punjab,   Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu has also appreciated the crop procurement system of Haryana Government. He said that last year, more than 50 percent crop payment was directly made into the bank accounts of the farmers. This year, it has been decided to make 100 percent payment to farmers directly into their bank accounts, he added.

While referring to the data given by a private institute CMI  on unemployment rate in Haryana , the Chief Minister apprised the August House that CMI has reported 23.7 percent unemployment rate in  Haryana for the year 2020 whereas, it was 7 per cent as per the survey conducted by National Statistical Organization. He said that Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda has misled the house saying that tax rate on manure and fertilizer in the State has increased upto 28 percent. However, even today, tax on fertilizer in Haryana is only 5 percent.

Referring to the pro-farmers initiatives taken by the present State Government, the Chief Minister said that 19 types of vegetables and fruits have been brought under the ambit of  Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. He said as against the target of setting up of 1000 FPOs in the state, 486 FPOs have already been formed. Apart from this, 1.07 lakh farmers have been registered under the Pashudhan Credit Card Scheme started on the lines of Kisan Credit Card Scheme. He said that a special campaign has been launched in four districts under the Micro Irrigation Scheme for water conservation. Under this, a provision of subsidy up to 85 percent has been made for the purchase of  Micro Irrigation equipments so that the precious water could be saved. Similarly, a provision has been made to give 75 to 85 percent subsidy on agricultural implements.

Speaking on the issue of  farmers' agitation, Mr. Manohar Lal said farmers are our brothers irrespective of the State they belong to and  no force could be used against them in any  circumstances. He said that opposition has miserably failed to contribute in maintaining democratic values. He warned the Congress party that their political graph is being eroded. It is my moral responsibility to take care of 2.80 crore people of the state, he added.

Referring to the financial loss during the farmers' agitation, Mr. Manohar Lal said that according to an estimate, there has been a loss of Rs 11,500 crore in three months. He said that no one is going to benefit from this movement. Instead of provoking the agitation, the opposition should try to make efforts to persuade the farmers to end their agitation.