District Committee notifies rates for Agriculture operations
District level committee headed by Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri has fixed the rates for agriculture operations including tractors and harvesters for regulating the prices in view of reports of unregulated heavy charges imposed on farmers.
The committee has fixed rates for ploughing by tractor in Hilly and Plain areas, Threshing and Mechanical harvesting. In hilly areas of District Rajouri the rates for ploughing have been fixed as Rs 700 and Rs 750 per hour respectively for tractors upto 35 HP and above 35HP. In plain areas the rates to be charged during current year shall be Rs 760 and Rs 800 per hour for below and above 35 HP tractors respectively. Threshing of wheat would cost Rs 160 per quintal while as threshing of Maize has been fixed at the rate of Rs 110 per quintal.
Rates have also been notified for mechanical harvesting of wheat both by way of reaper cum binder and tractor mounted reaper. Rate of Rs 1800/hour has been notified for area above 1 hectare or Rs 300 per kanal for area less than 1 acre in case of mechanical harvesting by reaper cum binder. Meanwhile the rate notified for tractor mounted reaper for threshing has been notified at flat Rs 800/hour.
The rates were finalised after receiving inputs from Agriculture Department, Revenue authorities, Motor Vehicle Department, Legal Metrology, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and other special agencies. A detailed exercise was conducted for finalisation of rates involving specialised agencies and stakeholders as well.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has directed the officers of Agriculture Department, SDMs, Tehsildars and legal metrology department for ensuring that notified rates are implemented in letter and spirit which will be a major relief for the farmers. Farmers have been advised to report the complaints of overcharging to concerned Revenue Officials and agriculture officials for prompt action. MVD and Legal metrology department will also keep vigilance.
In view of tractors registered for agriculture purpose being used in commercial operations the MVD has been asked to carry out inspections and cancel registrations in personal category as same is being used for avoiding various fees and taxes by bypassing the laid down procedure by commercial operators. This also adds to losses to farmers which will attract stringent action.
CPO A H Choudhary, ACR Paramjeet Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer M Y Choudhary, ARTO Jugal Sharma, Asstt Controller Legal Metrology, Tehsildar headquarter and other officers attended the meeting as members of district level committee.
KV Correspondent
