Pawar rules out drought-like situation in Punjab, Haryana

Ruling out a drought-like condition in the northwest plains of Punjab and Haryana amid poor monsoon, union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today said farmers in the region would, however, be compensated for incurring heavy input and irrigation costs due to prevailing weather conditions.

Ruling out a drought-like condition in the northwest plains of Punjab and Haryana amid poor monsoon, union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Friday said farmers in the region would, however, be compensated for incurring heavy input and irrigation costs due to prevailing weather conditions.

HT Image

The Centre would give compensation to the farmers in the form of subsidy which would be deposited directly into their accounts, Pawar said at a press conference, where union minister for rural development and drinking water and sanitation Jairam Ramesh was also present. "Over 85% farmers have 'kisan' credit cards and we have asked the states to prepare the lists of farmers to be compensated so that the money could be deposited into their accounts," Pawar said.

He added that it was due to the “tremendous” efforts of the farmers in Punjab that the state had recorded 35.25 lakh hectares under paddy as against a target of 34.80 lakh hectares. The farmers, he said, would be adequately compensated for spending much more on diesel for irrigation in the absence of electricity supply during the sowing period. Similarly, he said, Haryana farmers would also be compensated as the state ensured 19.73 lakh hectares under the crop as against a target of 22.80- lakh hectares. Haryana, the union minister said, remained the worst hit with 71% rain deficit, while Punjab suffered 68% less showers till August 7.