Cong, INLD misleading Haryana farmers : Dhankar

Chandigarh, Jul 18 :  Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Om Prakash Dhankar today said that Congress and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) were only misleading farmers of the state. The Minister said many decisions of the previous Government had proved that the Congress had little concern for the welfare and interests of the farmers. It is a matter of record that during the Congress tenure, subsidy on DAP manure was reduced from Rs 1-lakh-crore to Rs 63,000-crore in a single day. Mr Dhankar said the present Government is implementing Swaminathan Commission report in real terms. Even though the recommendations were made during the Congress Government, these were not implemented. In keeping with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, the present Government has increased compensation amount up to Rs 12,000 for the farmers. He also listed a number of pro-farmer initiatives taken by the present Government, he added. Earlier, after launching the newly developed apple market purchase season at Panchkula near here, Mr Dhankar said that time is not far when Panchkula's apple market would figure prominently on the country’s map. Given the facility of an airport, there is a lot of potential for the export of good quality apples from here. He said the apple market, aiming at a turnover of Rs 3,000 to 4,000-crore, would have the potential to generate indirect job opportunities for 10,000-20,000 persons. It is a matter of pride for the state that not only the grains but also an apple market has become functional in Haryana. The day is not far when all the mandis in the state will be online. With this facility, when the apples would be auctioned in Panchkula, businessman and traders from Gurugram would be able to buy apple online. Work is also in full swing to develop Gannaur Mandi as the country's largest market, he added. Similarly, work is apace on the flower mandi in Gurugram. The sole purpose of having such markets is to ensure that the farmer gets a better market as well higher price for his produce, he said. The Minister said that in keeping with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi steps were being taken to double the income of the farmers by 2022. UNI