Chintan Shivir saw unveiling of working drafts for new action plans of various departments to double the income of farmers-Dhankar.,

Panchkula, Dec 17 – The first session of the last day of the three-day Chintan Shivir saw unveiling of working drafts for new action plans of various departments to double the income of farmers, to enhance efficiency of utilization of water, make more youth of Haryana Saksham and to rejuvenate urban life which will be reviewed on regular basis in every two years.
Speaking on this occasion, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Mr O.P. Dhankar, who Chaired Group-I on the topic of ‘Agriculture Reforms for doubling farmer’s income’ gave an impressive presentation to achieve the desired goal and Prime Minister’s vision to double the income of farmers by 2022. Action plan and recommendations of this group will certainly lead Haryana in realization of Prime Minister’s vision. Mr Dhankar said that government had fixed a target to ensure farmers income between Rs 60,000 and Rs 1 lakh per acre. To achieve this target, we would encourage diversification of crops, increase productivity, cattle-rearing, direct marketing of produce, agri service, value additional packaging, branding and integrated farming.
He said that increase in Minimum Support Price of crops every year has also ensuring fair and remunerative to farmers. We have made our farmers completely risk-free as all the crop either covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana or by the compensation policy of the state government. In addition, new technological support being provided by agriculture and allied departments had also enhancing their income.
He also listed the various recommendation made by the group and added that all the suggestions and recommendations would immensely help to achieve the desired results. This group was Co-chaired by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Nayab Singh Saini.
Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources, Mr Anurag Rastogi highlighted the challenges discussed in the Group-II chaired by Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister, Rao Narbir Singh and Co-chaired by Minister of State for Public Health Engineering, Dr Banwari Lal on ‘Optimum utilization of every drop of water’. He said that a State water policy on utilization of surface and ground water should be formed. Other recommendations of the group include enactment of state groundwater and management regulation act, state water regulatory authority, enforcement of existing bye-laws on rainwater harvesting. The group also recommended that budget allocation for micro irrigation should be doubled and micro irrigation should be made mandatory for over a period of time.
He said that farmers should be encouraged and incentivized for adopting less water intensive crops and installation of energy efficient pumps. In addition, extensive awareness campaign should also be launched by the Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation, Public Health Engineering, Development and Panchayats and NGOs.
Sharing recommendations of Group –III on ‘Saksham Haryana’ headed by Education Minister Mr Ram Bilas Sharma and Co-chaired by Industries Minister Mr Vipul Goel, Principal Secretary, Skill Development and Industrial Training Department, Mr T.C. Gupta informed that Saksham Yuva scheme had already been implemented to equip the youth with requisite skills for employability and entrepreneurship. The state government had also taken a unique initiative to set up HVSU.  He also listed the reforms planned by the group members including the overhauling of industrial training in ITI, aligning the qualification of government job with National Skill Development Qualification framework level, strengthening of assessment and certification agencies of skills, training of unemployed youth for skill and entrepreneurships and launch of aggressive campaign for placement.
While giving details of Group-IV formed to suggest measures for Urban Rejuvenation which was Chaired by Urban Local Bodies Minister, Mrs Kavita Jain and Co-chaired by Minister of State for Cooperation Mr Manish Kumar Grover, Principal Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, Mr Anand Mohan Sharan said that Housing problems are very acute in urban areas. Therefore, emphasis should be given on the rental housing in the urban area and private sector will also be included in the process of providing rental housing.
He suggested that the provision of the Model Tenancy Act should be incorporated in the State Tenancy Act in order to increase the adoption of rental housing. Inclusive slum development and industrial housing should also be taken care off in urban areas. Slum re-development policy should be formulated for the urban areas. Housing demand can be addressed by increase in FAR in the existing housing and upcoming projects, provided sufficient civic amenities are there. HUDA and Housing Board should float more sectors for affordable housing. In addition, survey of slum areas to be conducted in order to evaluate the literacy rate in urban areas and all street lights should be converted to LED in ESCROW model.
He said that the group also suggested to introduce a robust accounting mechanism in the municipalities, to make the municipalities financially sound, the share of the GST should be provided to ULBs, the property tax collection system should be based on strong incentives and disincentives and connected through App, common cadre for the municipalities should be implemented, more housing should be developed in Tehsils/sub-divisions to ease the pressure on the bigger towns, housing demand should be addressed by increasing in FAR in the existing and upcoming projects.
Principal Secretary, Power, Mr PK Das who was Coordinator of Group on Resource Mobilization also informed about the various measures suggested by the members of group chaired by Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal.
All the Ministers, Administrative Secretaries and a number of MLAs were also present during the presentations of recommendations by the different Groups.