Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, November 1
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday approved the Wheat Seed Subsidy Policy-2020-21 to provide certified seed at 50 per cent subsidy to farmers in the rabi season.
2.5L farmers to get Rs18.5 crore
Nearly 2.5 lakh farmers, especially small and marginal ones, will get subsidy, amounting to Rs18.50 cr, directly into their bank accounts
Eligible applicant will get subsidy equaling 50 per cent of the total cost of seeds, or to a maximum of Rs1,000 per quintal
Subsidy will be provided for maximum of five acres. In this rabi season, wheat is expected to be cultivated over an area of about 35 lakh hectares in the state
With Rs 18.50 crore available as subsidy, a total of 1.85 lakh quintals of certified seed will benefit approximately 2.5 lakh farmers under the policy.
The Chief Minister directed the Agriculture Department to give priority for providing subsidised seeds to small and marginal farmers. The subsidy should be given only to eligible farmers and transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts, he said.
Directing Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Anirudh Tewari to issue detailed instructions to the officers and staff of the department to closely monitor the seed being sold in their respective area, Captain Amarinder asked him to ensure that only quality seeds reach to the farmers.
“If any complaint is received in this regard or any malpractice detected, then the officers/employees concerned of the seed agencies, as well as the district and block-level agriculture officers would be directly responsible,” warned the CM.
Tewari said all arrangements were in place for the smooth implementation of the scheme.
