Dhami government has given big relief to the farmers. They will now get free water from canals to irrigate their fields. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved the proposal to stop Apasi (irrigation tax) on the land irrigated by canals of the farmers of the state like in Uttar Pradesh. The Irrigation Department has been getting a revenue of about three crore rupees every year in the state as mutual funds. The total area of agriculture in the state is 5.68 lakh hectares. There is irrigation facility in only 3.13 lakh hectares. Irrigation is done in 2.79 lakh hectares in the plains and 0.34 lakh hectares in the hilly areas.
This tax has already been stopped in UP
In lieu of providing water from canals and ponds to the fields, the Irrigation Department collects irrigation tax from the concerned farmers every year. Meanwhile, after Aapsi bandh was imposed in Uttar Pradesh, demand for the same was being raised in Uttarakhand also. In this regard, a proposal was sent to the government by the Irrigation Department, on which the Chief Minister has approved. According to JP Singh, Head of the Irrigation Department, now farmers will be able to get free water from canals for irrigating their fields.
Committee constituted to consider the demands of various organizations
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also announced the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary to consider the major demands of Anganwadi Workers Sevika Karmachari Union, Anganwadi Workers/Sevika/Mini Employees Organization, Asha Health Workers Union, Uttarakhand Bhojan Mata Kamgar Union. Consent has been given. These organizations are agitating for various demands. Now the committee will consider their demands and provide the report to the government.
