Punjab Government Launches Crop Residue Management Loan Scheme Through Cooperative Banks

National News: A major step has been taken by the Punjab Government to control the problem of stubble burning and promote sustainable agriculture. Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government has launched a revised Crop Residue Management Loan Scheme through cooperative banks across the state. The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to farmers and cooperative societies in purchasing necessary machinery for crop residue management, so that increasing air pollution due to stubble burning can be prevented and new employment opportunities can be created in rural areas.

Subsidies and Loan Facilities

Under the scheme, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies will be given subsidy of up to 80% for purchasing machinery. This subsidy can be up to a maximum of Rs. 24 lakh. There is a provision of 50% subsidy on machinery for individual farmers. In addition, cooperative societies will have to deposit 10% of the loan amount in advance, while for individual farmers this rate has been fixed at 25%.

An important step towards reducing air pollution

The Chief Minister said that this historic decision will not only provide easy access to modern machinery but will also ensure effective management of crop residues. This will go a long way in reducing the increasing air pollution due to stubble burning in North India. The Punjab government is also encouraging the use of crop residues in bio-energy plants. This will increase clean energy production and give a new boost to the green economy of the state.

Commitment to environmental protection and farmer welfare

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that this step taken by the government is a major contribution towards empowering farmers, protecting the environment, and further strengthening the cooperative movement. This scheme has been approved under the leadership of Financial Commissioner Cooperation Sumer Singh Gurjar and Registrar of Cooperative Societies Girish Dayalan. Participation of various stakeholders of the agriculture sector has been ensured in this, so that the goal of zero stubble burning can be achieved in the state.