Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
- Over ₹10,000 Crore Paddy Differential Amount to be Credited Before Holi
- Farmers Express Gratitude by Ceremonially Weighing Chief Minister with Paddy
- State-Level Fund Transfer Programme to Begin from Bilaspur on February 28 Under Chief Minister’s Leadership
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said farmers are the backbone of the country’s economy and that the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ can be realised only through the prosperity and well-being of farmers. A delegation of farmers met the Chief Minister at his residence office and expressed gratitude for the announcement to transfer more than ₹10,000 crore as the paddy differential amount into farmers’ accounts before Holi under the Krishak Unnati Yojana.
On the occasion, farmers ceremonially weighed the Chief Minister with paddy as a mark of appreciation on behalf of the state’s farming community.
Chief Minister Sai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised farmers’ welfare and is working continuously to increase their income. He said India is an agrarian country and farmers’ progress forms the foundation of national development.
Referring to the introduction of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said the initiative enabled farmers to access loans at lower interest rates. Earlier, farmers often depended on moneylenders and faced high interest burdens, leading to financial exploitation. He added that farmers are now receiving access to interest-free capital. Pradhan Mantri Sinchai Yojana is helping expand irrigation coverage and that the irrigated area in the state is steadily increasing.
Chief Minister Sai said the state government is procuring paddy at 21 quintals per acre at ₹3,100 per quintal, the highest rate in the country. He said the government has decided to transfer more than ₹10,000 crore as the paddy differential amount into farmers’ accounts before Holi.
The transfer will be rolled out from Bilaspur district on February 28 and will be observed as a celebratory event across development blocks in the state.
He informed that this year paddy procurement has been carried out from 25.24 lakh farmers, totalling 141 lakh metric tonnes. He stressed that the state government will continue to work with commitment for farmers’ welfare.
Chhattisgarh State Seed Development Corporation Chairman Chandrahas Chandrakar and farmers from across the state were present on the occasion.
