Says his government would not hike power tariffs for next 5 years; Waives off conversion charge of land to set up processing units
In an attempt to attract farmers ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, chief minister Ashok Gehlot showered sops on the farmers during the rally held at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday.
While fulfilling Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s promise, Gehlot announced that his government would not hike power tariffs for farmers and no land conversion would be required if a farmer opens a food processing unit at his farm.
Gehlot, who announced farmers loan waiver within two days of coming to power, was seen in poll mode at the rally. Addressing a gathering of thousands of farmers the CM left no stone unturned to woo them.
“Rahulji has been laying stress on the farmers’ welfare. Hence I announce that we will form ‘Kisan Ayog’. Whatever suggestions are received from farmers, the commission will work on it,” said Gehlot.
In order to boost the financial condition of farmers, Gehlot announced that they need not pay for conversion charge of their land on setting up food processing units. Rahul had been making reference for this since long in his speeches.
“The food processing units will be set up in the villages. It will be a value addition to the production making farmers who can now export their products. The farmers need not convert their 10 hectare land for the units,” announced Gehlot.
In a major announcement Gehlot said that power tariff to the farmers will not be hiked during the five-year rule of his government. In 2008 when Gehlot had became CM for the second time a similar announcement was made.
Congress in its manifesto had declared pension to small and marginal farmers. Gehlot said that his government has already started an exercise to make it a reality soon.
“Also one lakh agricultural electricity connections pending till date will be issued by June. The Central government is not releasing funds to the state which is delaying payment on MSP (Minimum Support Prices) of harvest to the farmers. Hence I announced Rs 1000 crores to Rajfed to clear the dues. With this the dues will be paid to the farmers without any further delay. We already started exercises on buying chana and sarson at MSP,” he said.
The CM also said that five ambitious projects—Barmer Refinery, Jaipur Metro, Broad Gaze in Dungarpur, Parwan Dam and Tonk-Karauli railway line projects—will be put on fast track when the Congress government will come to the power at the Centre.
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 "Sachin Pilot, Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot")
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