Government rules out rise in Seed Subsidy

Bangalore, Jun 19 (UNI) Ruling out the possibility of increasing the seed subsidy from the present 50 per cent to 75, Karnataka Agriculture minister Ravindranath today said that the state government had taken a decision to extend it to farmers who owns land upto two hectares.

Addressing newspersons here today the minister said that during Governor's rule the seed subsidy to farmers was curtailed to 50 per cent from 75 per cent and which was meant only for those farmers who owns one hectare of land.

He said that the state government, instead of rising the seed subsidy to 75 per cent had taken a decision extend it those farmers who owns land upto five acres. "With the government's decision more number of farmers would be eligible for seed subsidy," he said.

Replying to questions the minister said that the Union government had supplied about 50 per cent of the quantum of fertiliser it had promised to state and expressed confidence that the balance of fertiliser would reach state in three or four days.

The minister also appealed the farming community not to panic over the availability of fertiliser as there was no shortage now.

"Government is committed to fulfill the demand of the farmers," he said.

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