In a bid to save the underground water table by promoting Micro Irrigation (MI) system in the State, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has granted approval for slew of incentives to the farmer for installing the MI pumps in their farms.
A spokesperson of Chief Minister’s Office said that the step aims at ensuring the optimum utilisation of water resources in the State by promoting this less water intensive technique. The Chief Minister has given his nod to enhance the incentives under MI Scheme from the existing 50 to 80 per cent of the actual market cost for the General Category farmers and 90 per cent for the women farmers and those belonging to Scheduled Caste communities.
likewise in another significant decision, Badal has decided to remove the cap in terms of area for availing the subsidy. As per the decision, the State Government would now provide subsidy to the farmers across the board and there would be no limit in terms of area. As per the norms of Government of India subsidy was provided to beneficiaries having land up to five hectares per beneficiary but the State Government has decided to amend it by asserting that there would be no limit in terms of area. Consequently, the additional burden meted out on the scheme by including the farmers with more than five hectares of land would be borne by the State Government.