District level committee headed by Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has fixed the rates for agriculture operations involving tractors and harvesters for regulating the rates in view of reports of unregulated heavy charges imposed on farmers.The committee has fixed different rates for hilly and plain areas for ploughing by tractor, threshing and Mechanical harvesting.In hilly areas of the District, 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 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 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 specialized agencies.
A detailed exercise was conducted for finalisation of rates involving specialized 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 file complaints of overcharging to concerned Revenue Officials and agriculture officials who have been asked prompt action. The MVD and Legal metrology department will also keep close vigil on the operation charges.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 by-passing 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.