Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Sunday said his Government had disbursed compensation amount to the tune of Rs 2,400 crore to farmers, which was not disbursed as compensation to farmers in the last 48 years in the state.
The Government has a target to double the income of farmers by 2022, said the Chief Minister while interacting with mediapersons at Kaithal.
Amid the growing resentment among the farmers against BJP after Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur firing incident, Manohar lal claimed it was due to the farmers-centric initiatives of present State Government, farmers were satisfied with adequate availability of fertilizers, seeds and water for irrigation.
At present, various farmers organisations and opposition parties are holding protest dharnas in parts of Haryana demanding implementation of Swaminathan report and loan waiver for farmers.
The Chief Minister said that many initiatives had been taken to make agriculture risk-free. Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, there is a provision of compensation in case of crop damage and also, in case of production of crop less than average. Many facilities are being provided to farmers for crop procurement in mandis of the state. Fifty-four mandis have been made online.
He said Haryana Agro-business Training School was being established in Hisar. Besides this, Maharana Pratap Horticulture University was being set up in Karnal and it would promote horticulture and keep farmers updated with new techniques.
He claimed that the farmers in Haryana are much happier, as they are facing no problem at any level in irrigation, sugarcane prices and crop procurement. Zero per cent interest rate facility is being provided on crop loan. Other occupations like bee-keeping, milk production, pisciculture, mushroom are also being promoted, he added.
The Chief Minister further said the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) system was a good initiative for reform of the Indian economy. This would bring transparency in business.
Several goods have been made tax-free, under GST. Tax on goods like television sets, air conditioners, washing machines, furniture would now be levied at the rate of 28 per cent, which was presently taxed at the rate of 33 per cent, thereby, reducing the tax by five per cent. GST would end red-tapism and facilitate consumers and traders by reducing costs, said the Chief Minister.
He added 50 per cent of the 3,500 announcements made by him during the last 32 months regarding development works to be undertaken throughout the state had been implemented and the rest would soon be completed.