Despite pandemic, development not hampered in Haryana as NABARD gave 44 pc more assistance in 2020-21; Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal heads high-powered meeting

SGT Times Reporter

Chandigarh, December 23

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 significant progress.

        This information was given in the meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) for the financial year 2021-22 held here today under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Secretary, Sanjeev Kaushal. In the meeting, he reviewed the progress of projects funded by NABARD and the schemes of various departments.

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

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.

Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department Devender Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education Department Mahavir Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief of Public Works (Building and Roads) Department Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary, Fisheries Department Ashok Khemka, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development Department G. Anupama and other senior officers were present.