30,000 diesel pump sets to be given to farmers

The Pioneer, 21 st March, 2008

Agriculture Minister Surendra Nath Nayak on Wednesday said the Government would provide 30,000 diesel pump sets at 33 per cent concession in the blocks of KBK, WODC and TASP. "Rs 2.50 crore has been allotted for this purpose in the current Budget," Nayak said. However, he made it clear that Government would not do anything which would hamper the interest of the farmers.
Cutting across party lines members demanded that pump sets running on kerosene should be given to the farmers at a concessional rate.
However, Nayak said the kerosene available on PDS should not be utilised for the pumps. "There has been no programme to supply non-PDS in rural areas," he said, adding that the Government would not be dictated by the whims of the dalals and businessmen.