Chandigarh, March 18 – While taking yet another significant step for the welfare of farmers in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini has demanded exemption in GST on 10 agricultural implements used in crop residue management from the Central Government. He has written a letter in this regard to Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Sh Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

another significant step : Haryana CM Highlights Farmers’ Role, Stubble Burning Efforts

In his letter, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini highlighted that the farmers of Haryana play a crucial role in the nation’s food reserves, with the state being a leader in the agricultural sector. However, in recent years, stubble burning has become a major issue, adversely impacting the health of the people. Given the seriousness of the issue, it is being closely monitored by the Supreme Court and the Air Quality Commission. The Chief Minister said that Haryana’s farmers are adopting advanced technologies and utilizing the latest agricultural implement for crop residue management. Over the past few years, both the Government of India and the State Government have been providing subsidies on machinery for crop residue management. In 2024, there was a 39 per cent reduction in stubble burning incidents compared to 2023. To further address this issue, the state government has developed an action plan for 2025, which includes a provision for a subsidy of approximately Rs 200 crore for the purchase of crop residue management machines. The total cost of these machines is expected to be around Rs 500 crore, with an additional burden of about Rs 60 crore on farmers due to GST (12%). Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has requested the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs. He seeks a GST exemption on agricultural implements used for crop residue management. These tools include rotavators, disc harrows, and cultivators. Other implements are zero drills, super seeders, and straw balers. Additional equipment involves hay rakes, slashers, reaper binders, and tractor-mounted spray pumps. The Chief Minister emphasized that if the central government grants this exemption, it will encourage farmers. They will adopt these technologies more widely. This will help to prevent air pollution caused by crop residue burning.