Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij on Friday said that the State budget, exceeding Rs two lakh crore, has focused on comprehensive development. Interacting with the media persons, Vij praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that no better budget could have been presented under his guidance.
When asked about the BJP high command’s directive for state ministers to hold press conferences in their respective districts, Vij responded that Haryana has presented an outstanding budget for the first time.
On Congress not appointing a Leader of Opposition, Anil Vij said: “It questions Congress’ leadership and decision-making ability…It reflects poorly on the party’s top leadership, showing that they are incapable of making decisions.”
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said that the budget of Haryana has been prepared keeping in mind all sections of society. The budget of Haryana has been presented by keeping in mind the suggestions of farmers, agriculture, businessmen, employees and players. The economy of the state will improve with this budget, he added.
The Minister said the Chief Minister has given special attention to farmers in the agriculture sector and announcements have also been made for soldiers in the budget. “Haryana has the highest per capita income among the major states and the revenue deficit has decreased in the last 10 years. Interest-free loan up to Rs one lakh will be made available to women farmers for setting up dairy, subsidy amount on purchase of desi cow has been increased to Rs 30,000, sale of urea and fertilizer will be linked to Meri Fasal Meri Byora portal and the land limit for getting benefits under natural farming has been reduced to one acre,” he said.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that Haryana is the first state in the country where maximum crops are being purchased at MSP. Rana, speaking on the occasion of the launch of mustard procurement at the Radaur grain market in Yamunanagar district, said that this year, mustard is being purchased at the MSP of Rs 5950 per quintal.
BJP Govt's promise of giving MSP on 24 crops proved false: Hooda
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday alleged that the BJP Government's claim of giving MSP on 24 crops has been exposed once again as the government is not giving MSP to the farmers for mustard.
“Farmers have sent us their mustard purchase receipts and told us their plight. The MSP of mustard is Rs 5960, but it is being purchased in the market at Rs 5400. Farmers are incurring a loss of about Rs 500 per quintal. Last time, paddy was also purchased at a rate lower than MSP and this time the game of looting farmers has started in the purchase of mustard as well,” he stated.
Hooda said that BJP had promised to give farmers a rate higher than MSP on crops like paddy and wheat before the election, but had failed to deliver. “BJP had promised a rate of Rs 3100 on paddy crop. BJP neither kept this promise after forming the government nor did it make any such provision in the budget this time,” he said.
He said it is also clear from the data given in the Economic Survey presented by the government itself that the government has not purchased any crop at MSP. “The government has purchased only 61 percent mustard, 55 percent wheat, 25 percent moong, 18 percent barley, nine percent cotton, only 29 and 23 percent bajra and maize at MSP. Only five percent of sunflower has also been purchased at MSP. That is, government documents are telling that this government is not giving MSP to most of the farmers on most of the crops,” he said.
Hooda said the bitter truth of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima also stands exposed in the Economic Survey 2023-24. The figures show that the government has not yet given compensation of about 62 percent, Rs 588 crore to the farmers.
