Chhattisgarh farmers will get 'Bonus' before Diwali, special Assembly session called

Raipur, September 22: Chhattisgarh government today called Special Assembly session to address the issue of paddy Bonus to farmers as early as possible. Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said that the authorities are keen on seeing the happy smiling faces of farmers before the Festival of Lights-Deepawali.

He said that the State Government had been making strenuous efforts to improve the socio-economic conditions of farmers. The results are visible as the Gross Domestic Product had increased a lot and revolutionary changes had occurred on the agriculture front. The farmers deserve 'Bonus' for their significant contribution in the rapid development of Chhattisgarh. Drought-affected districts' farmers will be protected with extra facilities and financial grants. The Special session of the Assembly reflects our concern for the farmers.

Dr. Raman Singh said that earlier the entire Budget of the State Government was around Rs 11 thousand crore and at present the farmers alone are getting about Rs 11 thousand crore as price for the purchase of paddy. Several steps had been taken to decrease the investments in farming. “Earlier the Co-Operatives' Societies levied 14 percent interest rates on loans to farmers but now the loans are being provided at 'Zero' percent interest. Chhattisgarh is the first state to provide loans at Zero percent interest rate,” Singh said.

He further said that the farmers are availing loans worth Rs 3, 500 crore from the Co-Operative Societies and selling paddy worth Rs 11 thousand crore. The purchase of paddy is done on transparent computerized system. The economic conditions of farmers had improved significantly.

Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said that Health Insurance Scheme of a family had been increased to Rs 50 thousand. Farmers also will get benefit of Rs 50 thousand on Smart Card. Chhattisgarh Government had been providing domestic gas connections free of cost under the 'Ujjwala' scheme to 36 lakh poor families. Farmers will be benefitted by the scheme. Dr. Raman Singh said that Crops' Insurance is being done at a minimum of 2 per cent and about 13 lakh 50 thousand farmers had been included in the scheme.

Dr. Raman Singh added “An amount of Rs 2100 crore will be distributed as 'Bonus' to the farmers which will act as 'Sanjeevni'. Apart from these the farmers will be provided with Crops' Insurance Scheme. Chief Minister said that About Rs 1800 crore package had been allocated to farmers during the 2015 dought.”