Haryana seeks 1,136-cr central assistance

CM also urges the central government to give a bonus of Rs 100 a quintal to farmers above MSP of wheat

The Haryana government has sought an assistance of Rs 1,136 crore from the Centre for farmers who have suffered losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms.

The requirement of central assistance is on account of damage to standing crops (Rs 537 crore), deferment of loans and conversion of short-term loans to medium-term loans (Rs 281 crore). The additional fund has been sought on account of various factors such as loss of employment as labour was not engaged in crop harvest (Rs 193 crore), repair of road network (Rs 45 crore), waiver of electricity bills (Rs 30 crore), provision of vaccines/antibiotics and de-wormers for animals (Rs 28 crore).

The demand was put forward by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar before the delegation led by Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who was in Chandigarh to take stock of the damaged crops in the state.

Addressing the media, Khattar said, "Unseasonal rains and hailstorm was also reported on Monday in some parts of the state, so we would submit another report to the central government by the first week of April stating the quantum of damage and assistance required."

Khattar also urged the central government to compensate farmers for the loss by way of announcing a bonus of Rs 100 a quintal on the minimum support price of wheat; relief to those who suffered loss of up to 25 per cent; and concession at the time of procurement for the difference in the quality of wheat crop.

Paswan assured all help from the Centre. He said, "Our government is pro-poor and pro-farmer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked us to visit the affected states to take stock of the situation. I will put forward the assistance sought by Haryana government before the Cabinet, scheduled to meet on Tuesday. We are contemplating to relax the norms at the time of procurement for the difference in the quality of wheat crop due to the adverse impact of weather."