-SATISH HANDA

In order to double farmers’ income by the year 2022 as assured by ruling government in Haryana state, necessary steps are being taken by the state government to introduce large number of developmental programmes for farmers and announced to develop 2000 fish farms in the sate. Jai Parkash Dalal Cabinet Minister in a meeting with state government officers directed to prepare a detailed project report to develop 2000 fish farms in the state during year 2020-21 to create self-employment opportunities for farmers in view of favourable geological conditions and availability of water ponds in rural areas to achieve fixed target.

Dalal said, there is a proposal for nearly 5000 farmers below poverty line in the state for financial assistance from the bank at nominal rate of interest for farmers to set up self-employment project including fish farming, production of wool from sheep and goats, milk dairy or a scheme to increase farmers income under ‘Pashu-Kisan Yozna’. He said that decision has been taken to open sex semen laboratories in the state to produce quality cattle and increased milk production. Dalal made an appeal, in order to meet situation turning grim  due to fast increasing number of stray cows all over in the state, there is immediate need to support Gaushalas, village Panchayats and Block Societies in rural areas in the sate, providing financial assistance and save cattle dying due to hunger and absence of medical aid. He said, farmers would be provided loans for purchase of milk producing cattle to earn both ends meal for their families by selling milk.

In a recent scandal of value worth crores of rupees exposed in Fatehabad district on the complaint of a farmer Amarjit resident of village Khedi Baki in Hisar district when a team of CM Flying Sqaud Haryana conducted raids, investigated the case, observed fraud worth crores of rupees and a case was registered by Fatehabad police station against 21 persons including a Deputy Director, District Fishery officer and a JE The fraud complaint was sent to Director General Police Haryana who forwarded the case to CM Flying Sqaud for immediate action and investigation. Dushyant Singh SI told that as many as 17 fish farms were set in Fatehabad district and Rs 25 lakh subsidy amount was paid to each farmer set up fish farmer.

Investigation revealed that most of the proposals for setting up fish farm were found fake and in most of cases the farmer was not having any water pond for storage of fishes. Dushyant Singh disclosed that in most of cases subsidy amount was paid to farmers for purchase of equipment including diesel generating set by the fishery department on false bills and no machinery as well as diesel generating set was available at the site. The case was handed over to Fatehabad police station and fraud cases were registered against 21 persons availed loan as well as subsidy wrongly including three officials. Minister said that all those involved in fraud including government officials will not be spared at any cost.