The State BJP unit has once again targeted the state government for its failure to fulfill promises to farmers. State BJP spokesperson, Pratul Shahdeo targeting the JMM government said that the government had made big promises for the farmers before coming to power, but in reality the government is insensitive and careless on the issue of farmers. Shahdeo claimed that before the elections, the alliance parties had promised to raise the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy at Rs 2500 per quintal, but the government has backtracked from its promises.
This government also closed the Krishi Aashirwad scheme, which was started during the previous BJP government, in which there was a provision to give incentives for farming up to Rs 5000 per acre to poor farmers. In thousands of cases, the state government has not even paid the amount of paddy purchased last year to the farmers.
Shahdeo said that in the latest instance, the state government had to send the drought situation report of the state to the Centre by October 31, so that the assistance would be available sooner, but it appears farmers will not get assistance as the report has not been prepared yet.
The BJP has been saying since the beginning of the deficit monsoon demanding a drought declaration in the State, but the government did not take any concrete steps on it. Pratul said that the Agriculture Department itself has said in its report that till August, only 30% of cultivable land had been planted, but no steps were taken.
The BJP demands from the state government that it should now send the drought related report to the Center without delay and by getting a team of officers to make efforts on a war footing to provide assistance to the farmers on time.