Question : PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL BONUS TO FARMERS



(a) whether the Government has received any request for payment of additional bonus to the farmers to compensate then for the lower yield of crops;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto indicating the quantum of bonus demanded and that proposed to be paid by the Government, Crop-wise;

(c) the number of farmers likely to be benefited therefrom, State-wise;

(d) whether there have also been requests for the merger of additional bonus with Minimum Support Price for procurement of food crops particularly wheat; and

(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reaction of the Government thereto?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)

(a) to (e): Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Kerala, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had requested for extension of period of applicability of incentive bonus for paddy beyond 31.3.2007. Punjab had requested bonus for wheat crop to be marketed in 2007-08.

An additional incentive bonus of Rs.40 per quintal over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs.580 per quintal for Common variety, and Rs.610 per quintal for Grade A variety of paddy was payable on their procurement during 2006-07 between 01.10.2006 to 31.3.2007. Its applicability has been extended upto 31.05.2007 in case of Bihar & Kerala. In case of Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal the same has been extended upto 30.09.2007. For wheat, the Government has announced, in March 2007, the payment of incentive bonus of Rs.100 per quintal on procurement of wheat over and above the MSP of Rs.750 per quintal during the marketing season 2007-08.