Chandigarh, September 21- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal has announced that the market fees and rural fees on cotton and Barik Dhan (a variety of paddy) will be reduced from 2 percent each to half percent each. Along with this, the dues of Luster Loss and payments to be made to the Aryhtiyas will also be released soon.

He said that in the coming season, dami of Arthias and payment of labourers will be made within 15 days on the closure of the purchase in mandis, otherwise the government will pay interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum.

Chief Minister made this announcement, during a meeting held late evening here today with heads of Haryana State Grain Market Arthi Assocation, Mr. Ashok Gupta, Mr. Rajneesh Chaudhary and Mr. Ramavatar and district heads.

Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Mr. P.K Das, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. V. Umashankar and other senior officers were present.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister held a detailed discussion about the government procurement of four crops including paddy, millet, moong and maize. Later after the discussion, Arhityas assured the Chief Minister that they are committed for smooth and hassle free procurement to be done by the State Government.

It was informed in the meeting that the date of selling the crops of farmers of Haryana will be scheduled by October 7,2020. With Aadhaar and Fard, the farmers of the marginal districts of Haryana who have a business relationship with the Arhityas will be registered, but registration / purchase will be done from October 15. Furthermore, the farmers will have the option to choose the payment mode, whether they wish to receive direct payment from the government or through the Arhtiya.

Under the cotton and PSS scheme of Government of India a delegation from Haryana will meet the high officials of the Government of India and the ministers concerned regarding procurement of crops through Arhtiya.

A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Department, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, that would submit it's report to the government after considering other business matter and problems being faced by Arthityas in the mandis.

While concluding the meeting, Arhityas wholeheartedly thanked the Chief Minister, while they also assured that they are ready to completely cooperate with the State Government in the interest of the farmers.