In an attempt to use farmers’ plight as a weapon against state and central Government Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati has asked its MPs and legislators to distribute their one month’s salary among the farmers of their areas. She issued clear directives asking BSP law makers not to deposit their salary in government exchequer. “I do not believe this government. Go and meet the farmers of your area and distribute the salary among the most needed farmers,” Mayawati said in a statement issued here on Sunday. She said the farmers are facing the brunt of nature’s vagary and government apathy. Both the state and central governments are giving lip service and doing nothing for the welfare of the farmers who lost their crop in the unseasonal rain.
“The farmers are being given cheque of Rs 63 and Rs 100. After media made a hue and cry the state government increased the compensation to Rs 1500. Is it enough for farmer who was expecting good bounty this time,” she said. “Even the role of Union Government is condemnable. This is irony the when the farmers are forced to commit suicide because of apathy of both governments Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav are on foreign tour. This would have been nice had both the leaders cancelled their tours and visited these rain affected farmers,” BSP chief in her statement.
She said Prime Minister should follow his Raj Dharma and ensure distribution of compensation to the farmers. “Instead of extending help to the farmers he is holding meeting with party MPs and educating them about his foreign visit. His government talks about farmers’ insurance policy but when farmers actually need the money this scheme has proved a failure,” he said. Before coming to power Modi has promised to eradicate poverty and launch scheme that would generate employment. He has also promised to bring back black money. What happened to these promises, she asked.
Mayawati asked farmers not feel discouraged and take any extreme steps. “The BSP will fight farmers’ battle and will ensure that all those people who have lost crop in the unseasonal rains that lashed state in March should get adequate compensation,” she said. The party will stage a statewide agitation and hold dharna on all district headquarters on April 27.