Government rules out rise in seed subsidy

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

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

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

Answering questions, he said the Centre had supplied about 50 per cent of the quantum of fertilisers 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.

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

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