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Farmers to be given 9% interest on delayed payments: Haryana CM

In a bid to ensure there is no delay in payments to be made to farmers during the upcoming rabi season commencing from 1 April 2021, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal announced that about 9 percent interest (bank rate plus one percent) would be paid to the farmers if their payments are delayed. The payments […]

In a bid to ensure there is no delay in payments to be made to farmers during the upcoming rabi season commencing from 1 April 2021, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal announced that about 9 percent interest (bank rate plus one percent) would be paid to the farmers if their payments are delayed. The payments would be made directly to the verified accounts of farmers.

The Chief Minister said this while presiding over a review meeting of officers engaged in the upcoming procurement season held toon Tuesday. Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala was also present at the meeting.

“Farmers must receive payment of their procured produce within a stipulated time period. Any delay in payment would not be tolerated. Responsibilities should be fixed to ensure that farmers are timely paid,” said the CM.

During the meeting, the Haryana CM also reviewed the arrangements being made for the smooth procurement of crops and directed the concerned departments and procurement agencies to ensure that farmers do not face any inconvenience while selling their produce in different mandis across the state.

“Hassle-free and timebound procurement should be ensured by making scheduling plans in advance so that farmers do not face any problems,” directed Manohar Lal.

He also said that in view of the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases, like last year, the required number of procurement centres should be increased to ensure hassle-free procurement. Procurement of wheat and mustard would commence on 1 April, while the procurement of other crops would commence on 10 April. Timely identification of places required for setting up these procurement centres should be done at the earliest, also said the CM.

The Chief Minister, while giving directions regarding the strengthening of the mandi system, further said that along with making timely arrangements for the availability of labourers in the mandis, an adequate number of weighing scales, gunny bags, sewing machines, etc, should also be ensured.

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Anurag Rastogi, apprised the Chief Minister that this time the payment module has been made a part of e-Kharid and several banks will be empanelled for this purpose. Rastogi also shared the advance directions regarding timely lifting of the crops, smooth functioning of the procurement process and ensuring that no arhatiya or farmer faces any problems.

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