By IANS,
Chandigarh: Having drawn power from other states and agencies to meet the increased requirement of its farming community during paddy plantation this year, the Haryana government now wants the central government to foot the bill of Rs.1,000 crore.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in a communication to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday, sought a special relief package of Rs.1,000 crore to compensate the state power utilities for the costly purchase of additional power for sowing of the paddy crop.
Hooda sought a bonus on the minimum support price (MSP) of other kharif crops, including bonus of Rs.100 per quintal on paddy, in view of the additional cost farmers incurred due to inadequate rain this monsoon.
Hooda told the prime minister that Haryana had deficient rain of nearly 48 percent this year.
Against the target of sowing of 30.15 lakh hectares this kharif season, sowing has taken place in 26.33 lakh hectares so far, Hooda’s letter stated.
The chief minister said Haryana purchased power at costly rates from outside sources to offset the impact of scanty rain to ensure eight hours of power supply to farmers everyday.
He said the state spent an additional Rs.1,007 crore this season to purchase this power.
“I would accordingly request that the state government should be provided a grant of Rs.1,000 crore as a special package so that the power utilities can be compensated,” Hooda said.
Haryana and Punjab account for over 50 percent of the total contribution to central foodgrain kitty.