Haryana Cabinet approves buying 10 more crops at MSP

    Chandigarh, Aug 5 (PTI) The Haryana Cabinet on Monday gave approval to the proposal of buying 10 more crops at the minimum support price.
    This came a day after Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced at 'Vijay Shankhnad' rally in Kurukshetra that the state government would buy all crops at MSP. Besides this, he had also announced waiving outstanding canal water irrigation charges.
    These announcements came ahead of the Haryana Assembly polls due later this year.
    Addressing the media after chairing a Cabinet meeting here on Monday, CM Saini said the Cabinet has given its nod to the proposal of buying crops at the MSP.
    The state government is already buying 14 crops at the MSP.
    Saini said 10 more crops are 'ragi', soybean, 'Kalatil' (Nigerseed), safflower, barley, maize, 'jowar', jute, 'Khopra' and summer 'moong' which will be procured at MSP in the state.
    This move will boost crop diversification, said the chief minister.
    With this, the state government will buy a total 24 crops in Haryana at the MSP, he said.
    Haryana will become the first state in the country to buy all crops at the MSP, said Saini.
    Replying to a question, Saini asked the Punjab government to buy some crops at the MSP. He also asked the Congress-ruled states of Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka to purchase crops from farmers at the MSP.
    Saini further said the Cabinet also gave approval to the proposal of abolishing 'abiana' (canal water irrigation charges).
    With effect from April 1, 2024, 'abiana' will not be charged from farmers, he said.
    This move will benefit farmers to the tune of Rs 54 crore per year, he said.
    Notices for collection of 'abiana', which were issued after April 1, 2024, will be withdrawn, Saini had said on Sunday, adding if any farmer has paid the charges after April 1, then that amount will be refunded.
    The Cabinet also approved amendments in the policy of 'Mukhya Mantri Shehri Awas Yojana' (MMSAY).
    This amendment is aimed at addressing the housing needs of urban families with an annual income up to Rs 1.80 lakh as verified by the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), said an official release.
    Under the revised policy, beneficiaries who have been allotted one marla (30 square yards) plots will now have an extended time-frame to make payments.
    The department allotted 30 square yard plots at the cost of Rs one lakh to 15,250 beneficiaries belonging to the categories of Ghumantu Jati, widow, Scheduled Castes and others.
    The Cabinet approved the Mukhya Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana-Extension (MMGAY-E).
    This scheme aims to provide one lakh developed residential plots of 50 square yards in 'Mahagram Panchayats' and 100 square yards in regular panchayats to economically weaker sections (EWS) of society, particularly landless households in rural areas.
    The department of housing will verify the applicant's eligibility and the plot will be allotted on a payment of one-time cost of Rs 1,000 only, said the official release.
    Physical possession of the developed plot will be made within two years of issuance of the allotment letter.
    The estimated project cost for MMGAY-E over the period 2024-2027 is Rs 2,950.86 crore, it said.
    The Cabinet gave its nod to the introduction of the 'Vivadon ka Samadhan' scheme with respect to milk plants, aimed at resolving the outstanding milk cess liabilities of milk plants in the state.
    This initiative, aims to provide a fair and structured resolution for milk plants that have defaulted on their milk cess payments as on July 31, 2024, it said.
    The Cabinet also gave nod to the Haryana Registered Vehicle Scrappage and Recycling Facility Incentive Policy 2024.
    The policy aligns with the Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicle Scrapping Facility) Rules, 2021, set by the Government of India, to methodically phase out old and unfit vehicles, thus reducing pollution and promoting a cleaner environment.
    In another decision, the Cabinet approved a proposal regarding the grant of powers to issue challans under the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993.
    Now, the officers of the Mining Department, not below the rank of a mining officer, will also have powers to challan overloaded vehicles carrying mining material.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)