Chandigarh- Amidst the rift between the Haryana authorities and farmers over the procurement charge of the sunflower crop, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday stated his authorities is finding out the marketplace for adequately compensating sunflower growers.
While digitally releasing Rs 29.13 crore as an interim ‘bharpai’ (compensation) to eight, 528 sunflower farmers rising the crop on 36, 414 acres of land, the Chief Minister gave a transparent message that some persons are attempting to create confusion among the many farmers claiming that his authorities doesn’t look after the farmers.
“I would like to clarify that despite challenges, the Centre or the state government is taking pro-farmer policies.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accomplished outstanding work for the welfare of farmers, he stated, including: “Increasing the minimum support price (MSP) every year is a clear indicator that the Prime Minister-led Central government is pro-farmer friendly.”
While clarifying the continuing tussle between sunflower farmers and the federal government concerning fixing the MSP of the oilseed, the Chief Minister stated that “earlier when we procured the millet on the MSP, it was found later that farmers of other states are also selling their crops in our markets. This created an issue of interstate smuggling”.
“Now a similar possibility is arising in the sunflower procurement. As a precaution, we have announced the interim abharpai’ (of Rs 1, 000) as the market rates keep on fluctuating.”
The authorities has included sunflower within the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana below which farmers shall be paid Rs 1, 000 per quintal if produce is promoting under the MSP.
The Chief Minister stated at current the procurement of sunflower is being accomplished at Rs 4, 800 in Haryana, whereas Punjab it’s at Rs 4, 000-4, 200.
Contrary to the Chief Minister’s assertions, protesting farmers have been saying that they’re being compelled to promote their produce to non-public patrons at Rs 4, 000 a quintal towards the MSP of Rs 6, 400, as introduced for the crop by the Central authorities for 2022-23.
Urging the farmers to not fall prey to anybody who’s attempting to mislead them, the Chief Minister stated some farmer unions and political leaders are defaming the identify of farmers by deceptive them.
“Blocking highways is not the solution to everything. In a democracy, we can’t hinder anyone’s freedom. We have done a lot for the farmers. We held positive talks with the farmers. The court order also said that the matter should be resolved amicably. The police followed the court’s decision. I urge the farmers that this agitation is not going to help them anyway. The decision would be taken as per the market rate, ” he stated.
The Chief Minister stated thus far Rs 23, 500 crore was given to farmers as subsidy and compensation.
Divulging particulars, he stated Rs 4, 287 crore was given below the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. An quantity of Rs 6, 189 crore was given below the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Also Rs 103 crore was given for stubble administration, Rs 118 crore for crop diversification and Rs 883 crore below the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
Comparing the compensation quantity given through the current authorities tenure and the Congress, the Chief Minister stated his authorities has given Rs 9, 790 crore as compensation, whereas in Congress tenure of 10 years it was Rs 1, 158 crore.
“Unlike the Congress, we never gave compensation cheques of Rs 2. We ensure a minimum compensation of Rs 500 to the farmers, ” stated Khattar.
He stated this was the primary time that the sunflower crop was introduced below the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
Currently, the federal government is going through protests from sunflower growers.
BKU chief Rakesh Tikait has threatened a bigger agitation than the year-long protest towards the now repealed farm legal guidelines if the federal government didn’t announce a authorized assure of the MSP for procurement of crops.