Rs 90 cr drought relief bonus for farmers

In a gesture aimed at supporting the state's paddy farmers, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana has released Rs 90 crore as a drought relief bonus. The announcement comes as a New Year gift to farmers facing adverse climatic conditions.

The bonus, amounting to Rs 2,000 per acre, has been disbursed to farmers under the drought relief scheme announced by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Rana released the funds online from his office and also held a pre-Budget discussion with officers from agriculture, horticulture and allied departments.

During the meeting, the Agriculture Minister urged officers to develop comprehensive plans for the upcoming Budget, focusing on the overall welfare of farmers. He stressed the importance of procuring all 24 crops at the MSP fixed by the Central government and ensuring the timely implementation of various government schemes aimed at farmers' welfare.

Rana further emphasised the need to create awareness among farmers regarding these welfare initiatives and to expedite direct subsidy transfers for agricultural equipment. He also called on the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board to improve facilities for farmers and labourers in agricultural markets. Additionally, the Minister encouraged the promotion of the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to modernise marketing systems, allowing farmers to sell their produce online across the country.