Lucknow, September 28: The Yogi government claimed that there is no impact of the ongoing farmers’s agitation due to passing of new Farm Bills 2020 in Uttar Pradesh.
The state government said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has paved the way for the development and welfare of farmers with sensitive sentiments for self-sufficiency of the agriculture sector. Their incomes have doubled. Every farmer gets water, seeds and fertilizer. Crop security should be ensured. Get the maximum yield value. Get a big market.
The Yogi government has implemented many effective and transformative policies, schemes and programs on all these aspects of farmer’s interest.
A spokesman for the state government said here on Monday that the Yogi government had decided to waive loans up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers in the first cabinet meeting. More than 86 lakh farmers of the state benefited from the loan redemption of Rs. 36 thousand crore. In order to provide maximum price of their produce to the farmers of the state, under the price support scheme, the government purchased wheat at the rate of Rs 1935.
The spokesman said that for the first time in the state, potato procurement was ensured at the rate of Rs 487 per quintal, similarly, implemented Paddy Purchase Policy and Maize Purchase Policy. For the first time, paddy was also purchased from sharecroppers and contract farms.
“Successful implementation of Agriculture Export Policy-2019, Mukhyamantri Krishak Dhan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kisan and Sarvhit Bima Yojana provided special benefits to the farmers and there has been a big change compared to before 2017,” said state’s Spokesperson.
The Yogi government formed the Uttar Pradesh Kisan Samruddhi Commission and fulfilled the demands of the old farmers. For the betterment of farmers, the Zero Budget laid special emphasis on natural farming. The government fixed the deadline for compensating the crops in various disasters and ensured the system of providing quick benefits. The Mandi Act amendment came into force in Uttar Pradesh for the first time in the country, broadening the market for farmers’ produce. Now farmers are free to sell their crops anywhere.
The Yogi government has implemented effective action plans to make the market more comprehensive for farmers.
The system of making payments through DBT first came into force in Uttar Pradesh. More than Rs 12,000 crore has been transferred to farmers under various schemes. Under the Chief Minister’s Farmer Accident Welfare Scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh is being given to the dependents on the death of the farmer and Rs. 2 lakh for more than 60 percent disability. 500 crore has been provided in this scheme.
He informed that so far more than four crore soil health cards and more than 1.56 crore farmer credit cards have been distributed in the state. More than 1.62 crore farmers have benefited under the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme. Compensation of over Rs 1,389 crore has been transferred to the accounts of these farmers through DBT. These steps of the government are directly benefiting the farmers.
To increase the kharif cover in Bundelkhand region, special grant was given on seeds of improved certified and hybrid species of different crops. Also, the farmers of Bundelkhand were given 50 percent to 75 percent exemption in the fix charge of electricity bill. The farmers realize and believe that the Yogi Adityanath government stands firmly with them. The result of this is that the farmers’ movement in Uttar Pradesh is not affected.
The spokesperson said that the Yogi government did not allow coronavirus pandemic to be an obstacle in farm-farming operations during the global pandemic Covid-19. More than 34.63 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizer was distributed during this period, ensuring distribution of high quality seeds and fertilizers to the farmers on top priority. Fertilizer, seed and pesticide shops remained open during the lockdown, which benefited the farmers.
“Similarly, compine machines and wrapper machines were made available for harvesting the crop in time. Also, by purchasing more than 6,000 purchasing centers, the government procured 442 lakh quintals of wheat under the Minimum Support Price Scheme and transferred 688 crore rupees to farmers’ accounts,” he added.
Sugar mills made operation even under lockdown
He informed that the state government ensured the operation of all 119 sugar mills during the lockdown. It was reported from western Uttar Pradesh that the operation of the sugar mills is being affected due to the blockade, disrupting the supply of lime from Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made quick solution to this problem and ensured the supply of lime from Rajasthan. Simultaneously, a system of sending sugarcane weighing slips on farmers’ mobiles was implemented.
1.12 lakh crore sugarcane value paid
According to the spokesperson, effective arrangements were made to make timely payment of sugarcane prices to the farmers in the state. The state government provided financial assistance for cane price payment. Along with this, strict action was taken against the non-paying sugar mills. As a result of this, till date record payment of sugarcane worth more than Rs 1.12 lakh crore has been made to the farmers through DBT.
Electricity system improved in rural areas
The Yogi government has laid special emphasis on the power system of rural areas of the state and implemented a new system to replace the damaged electrical transformer in 48 hours. All populated 1.46 lakh revenue villages and 2.60 lakh majrais were electrified.
