New Delhi
The first cabinet meeting of Modi government in the new year has been in the name of farmers. In the meeting held on Wednesday, the first day of the year, a special package for DAP fertilizer was approved. Under this, fertilizer manufacturing companies will also be given subsidy by the government. This subsidy (special package) has been given by the Central Government till 31 December 2025.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told the media after the meeting that a 50 kg bag of DAP will be made available to farmers for Rs 1,350. This ‘one time package’ is very important. In neighboring countries, a 50 kg bag of DAP is available for more than three thousand rupees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clearly said that no matter what the situation may be in the international market, we have to protect our farmers. Do not put any burden on them.
He has appealed to the state governments that some people will try to cheat the farmers in the name of DAP. I warn them that if anyone does this, action will be taken against them. He told that this package will cost approximately Rs 3,850 crore. From 2014 till now, there came a period of Covid-19 when the situation was very bad. But, our government and PM Modi have ensured that farmers do not have to bear the brunt of market fluctuations. Fertilizer subsidy till 2014-24 was Rs 11.9 lakh crore, which is more than double the subsidy given during 2004-14.
In the cabinet meeting, it was approved to continue the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme and the Reorganized Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26. This decision will help in risk coverage of crops against unpreventable natural disasters for farmers across the country till 2025-26. Moreover, use of technology extensively in the implementation of the scheme will enhance transparency and claim calculation and settlement. For this, the Union Cabinet has also approved the creation of Innovation and Technology Fund (FIAT) with an amount of Rs 824.77 crore.
