Haryana gets additional 44 per cent financial assistance from NABARD

Despite the COVID-19 global pandemic, the pace of development in the state of Haryana has not slowed down and the Haryana National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has given 44 percent more financial assistance in the year 2020-21 than in the financial year 2019-20. It was one of the leading states across the country in getting financial assistance. The state received financial assistance of Rs.1,030 crore in the year 2020-21 as compared to the previous year 2019-20 which was Rs.715 crore that shows a significant progress. This information was given in the meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) for the financial year 2021-22 held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Secretary, Sanjeev Kaushal. In the meeting, he reviewed progress of projects funded by NABARD and schemes of various departments.

It was informed in the meeting that against the target of Rs. 1,800 crore for projects by NABARD during the year 2021-22, so far Rs. 1,242 crore have been approved. Similarly, against the disbursement target of Rs. 1,400 crore, more than Rs. 536 crore has been disbursed by NABARD so far.

The Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts of the Administrative Secretaries and NABARD for approving projects worth Rs.1,129.61 crore (102 per cent) against the target of Rs.1100 crore for the projects of NABARD during the year 2020-21.

While directing the officers, the Chief Secretary said that all the projects being run under NABARD should be completed within the stipulated time period and for this, the Administrative Secretary himself should hold regular review meetings.

Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Department, Sh. TVSN Prasad gave detailed information about the infrastructure fund of micro irrigation, storage, agriculture, food processing, dairy processing and fisheries in the meeting. He said that the rate of interest under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) is 2.75 percent, so more and more schemes should be started under NABARD.

It was informed in the meeting that the work of Mega Food Park being built in Barhi, Sonipat would be completed by March 31, 2022. It will cost around Rs. 169 crore. Similarly, while giving information about the establishment of International Horticulture Market, Ganaur, Sonipat, it was informed that this market is being built on 545 acres of land, for which NABARD is providing assistance of Rs. 1,600 crores.

It was informed in the meeting that NABARD has approved four projects worth Rs. 790 crore under Micro Irrigation Fund including the projects of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Irrigation and Water Resources Department and MICADA.