Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Rs. 1100 crore is being spent on implementation of various ambitious schemes to benefit the farmers of the State. These include Rs. 353 crore Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna, Rs. 321 crore Crop Diversification Scheme, Doodh Ganga Yojna. He was addressing mammoth gathering on the conclusion of two day Theog Utsav at Theog today.
Reiterating his Government’s resolve to strengthen the agrarian economy in the State, Chief Minister said that 80 percent subsidy was being given for construction of polyhouses and minor irrigation schemes under Pandit Deen Dayal Kisan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna. He said that for BPL families 90 percent subsidy was being given for construction of polyhouses and expressed happiness that farmers have switched over to diversification in big way in Theog area also which had earned a name in production of vegetables in recent years.
Chief Minister said that to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce the Government was giving priority for construction of marketing yards. He said that 14 marketing yards had been constructed during last three years in the State and efforts were afoot to construct more such yards so that growers were saved from exploitation at the hands of middlemen. He said that Rs. 100 crore most modern marketing yard was being set up at Parala near Theog which would benefit farmers of the Theog and nearby areas in a big way.
Dhumal said that roads were one of the top priority of the Government and added that work of widening of Theog-Hatkoti road would be completed by taking up this work on war footing so that people did not face any inconvenience for want of good road. However, blames for the incessant rain for the delay in the completion of the road.
Chief Minister said that Rs. 2.90 crore had been sanctioned for mettling and tarring of Kufri bypass. He further said that bypass would also be constructed at Theog soon by ensuring that people were not affected from this. Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal announced Rs. 20 lakh for improving link roads in Theog areas.
Chief Minister blames congress leaders for the malicious campaign about the import duty on apple, and advices them to take up this matter with congress led UPA government. He said that his state Government is doing every possible measure and even going beyond its periphery Horticulture Minister meeting with Union Commerce Minister and agriculture minister is an example of it.
