Lucknow,

23 Dec (HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tributes

to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh's statue on his birth anniversary,

known as Kisan Diwas. Attending the 'Kisan Samman Diwas' function here, the

Chief Minister remarked that the Bharat Ratna awardee has dedicated his life to

the welfare of the country, its villages, and farmers. Adityanath stated that

Chaudhary Charan Singh thought that India could not thrive until its farmers

prospered, and viewed rural India as the fundamental basis of the nation. He

recalled Singh's participation in land reform, the dismantling of the zamindari

system, and the implementation of mandi legislation to prevent intermediaries

from exploiting farmers. He also cited Singh's contributions to tax relief for

small and marginal farmers, the exemption of fertilisers from sales tax, and

the foundation of NABARD.

“On

the occasion of 'Kisan Diwas', the 123rd birth anniversary of former Prime

Minister, 'Bharat Ratna' Chaudhary Charan Singh ji, who dedicated his entire

life for the upliftment of the farmers, participated in the program organized

in Lucknow today and paid floral tribute to his statue. On this occasion, along

with distributing tractors to the farmers under the 'Chief Minister Krishak

Uphar Yojana', progressive farmers, organizations, officers and scientists

doing excellent work in the agricultural sector were also honored. In the last

8 years under the double engine government, the agricultural growth rate of

Uttar Pradesh has reached 18%. The benefits of every government scheme are

being made available to the farmers on a priority basis. Salute to the sacred

memories of Chaudhary Saheb and hearty congratulations and best wishes to the

farmer brothers,” he mentioned in a post on X.

During

the function, Adityanath distributed tractor keys to recipients of several

farmer assistance projects and waved off vehicles. He also launched the land

allotment procedure for Chaudhary Charan Singh Seed Park in Atari, Lucknow. The

chief minister lauded farmers' perseverance, saying their hard effort

transforms soil into food production regardless of weather. He said the delight

on farmers' cheeks as they received tractors represented their strength and

endurance. Highlighting state successes, Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh

has paid sugarcane farmers around Rs 75,000 crore more in the previous eight years

than it did between 1996 and 2017. He noted that the state recently raised

sugarcane pricing, setting the cost for the early type at Rs 400 per quintal

for the 2025'-26 crushing season.

Adityanath

stated that agriculture output improved while input costs decreased. He

observed that 20 new Krishi Vigyan Kendras had been established in the last

eight years with cooperation from the Centre, increasing the total number in

the state to 89 over nine climatic zones. To ensure timely supply of excellent

seeds, a sophisticated seed park is being built in Lucknow, which is estimated

to increase output by up to 30%, he stated. Adityanath also announced plans for

an advanced tissue culture facility at Barabanki to support crops including as

sugarcane, banana, and potato. Adityanath stated that the government has erased

debts for farmers utilizing 16 lakh private tubewells and offers an annual

financial support of Rs 3,600 crore to the power corporation. He stated that

interest rates on cooperative loans had been cut from 11.5% to 6%.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi