Every promise made to the farmers of the state will be fulfilled: Bhupesh Baghel

Farmers will be given 2500 rupees per quintal under any condition

Announcement of formation of a cabinet sub-committee for the benefit of farmers

Raipur,25 November 2019/ Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel while replying to the discussion on the adjournment motion presented in the Legislative Assembly in the matter of paddy procurement said that every promise made to the farmers of the state will be fulfilled. The state government has decided that Rs 2500 per quintal of paddy will go in the pockets of farmers. He said that despite repeated and consecutive requests from the Government of Chhattisgarh towards the Government of India, the GOI is firm on their decision on not cooperating with the State Government on the grant of Rs 2500 per quintal for paddy for farmers of Chhatisgarh and will not take the rice of the State to the Central Pool.

Therefore, to keep the words and pay respect to Central Government, from 1st December, paddy will be purchased at the rate fixed by the Central Government. He stressed that farmers are entitled to Rs 2500 per quintal and the state government is committed to provide that.

A committee was constituted for analysing on how to give 2500 rupees (difference amount) to the farmers. The Committee would include the Minister of Agriculture, Forest Minister, Cooperative Minister, Higher Education Minister. With the recommendation and study of the committee, the state government will arrange to deliver 2500 rupees to the farmers’ pockets. The state government will give 2500 rupees of paddy per quintal to the farmers under any circumstances and there will be no injustice towards the farmers of Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said that the farmers will continue to urge the Center to give the entire amount of paddy purchase at Rs 2500 a quintal and to take the state’s rice in the central pool by relaxing the rules. In this regard, other parties were also requested to cooperate in the interest of farmers.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that the fixed support price will be purchased at Rs. 1815 for Common Paddy and Rs. 1835 for Grade-A Paddy. He said that the government would ensure payment as per the subcommittee’s suggestion for ways of arranging the difference amount to provide a rate of Rs 2500 per quintal to the farmers as per their promise.
The Chief Minister also announced to increase the storage capacity of paddy for traders to 10 quintals from the currently prescribed four quintals. He discussed in the assembly that improper storage of grains is one of the biggest problems the nation is facing right now. It is necessary to set up processing units as a solution to thism
Mr. Baghel said that ethanol can be made from paddy, sugarcane and maize. He also discussed with the Union Ministers in this regard and proposals have also been sent to the Center in this regard. He said that the farmers will also benefit from the price of paddy at the rate of Rs 2500 per quintal to the farmers and it will also have a good effect on the economic world. Mr. Baghel informed that Chhattisgarh has been witnessing a growth rate of 26.5 percent this year during the period of nationwide economic recession. There has been an increase of 84 percent in billion trade and revenue of Rs 152 crore has been received in the real estate sector as compared to Rs 92 crore last year. As a result of this, there has been an increase of three lakh in the registration of farmers this year compared to the previous year. Due to the policies of the state government, two lakh acres of agricultural acreage have also increased this year.