Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday received feedback from the farmers ahead of the Budget of the BJP government to be tabled on March 25 and assured them of solving all their problems.
In an interaction held at the Delhi Secretariat, the farmers raised several key concerns, including beautification of village ponds, utilisation of gram sabha land, electricity connections for rural areas, implementation of Land Pooling Policy with immediate effect, subsidy on fertilisers and seeds, expansion of Lal Dora and modern irrigation methods and access to central government schemes.
They also said that the diesel-run tractors of farmers were seized after completing 10 years, and demanded the government to allow the use of tractors for farming purposes for up to 20 years. The aim of this dialogue was to identify challenges faced by farmers, promote agricultural growth, and accelerate rural development in Delhi. Several key suggestions were received during the discussion, which will help shape effective Budget policies.
“We called the farmers from every corner of Delhi to consult about the Budget. They have shared their suggestions with us,” Gupta said.
Gupta emphasised that farmers play a crucial role not only as “annadaata” but also in maintaining Delhi’s green and sustainable environment. Gupta assured that the government will take necessary steps to address the concerns raised during the meeting. She reiterated that Delhi’s farmers contribute significantly not only to food production but also to the city’s greenery. The government is committed to prioritising their needs and will ensure that their suggestions are included in the upcoming budget.
Besides the Chief Minister, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma was also present in the interaction session. Gupta said that the previous governments did nothing for farmers and neglected their needs but the double-engine government of the BJP will address every issue faced by them.
“Each suggestion received from the farmers will be looked into and all the problems will be resolved,” she said. The Delhi government with the help of the Centre will make every effort to ensure property in rural areas and villages of Delhi, she added.
Verma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing rural infrastructure projects related to Education, Healthcare, Roads and connectivity and Electricity supply. He assured farmers that the government will always be accessible to them and will ensure that their concerns are addressed effectively. The five-day Budget session of the Delhi Assembly will begin on March 25. The BJP government headed by Rekha Gupta will table a Viksit Delhi Budget for 2025-26.
On March 6, the CM held an interactive session with traders, businessmen, and business organisations to seek their suggestions for the Budget.