Former Chief Minister and BJP national vice president Raghubar Das today attacked Opposition parties including Congress party for being anti-farmers, stating that real development of the country lies in the progress of villages, the poor and farmers. Das was addressing Kishan Chaupal (farmers’ conference) at Sukurhutu Kanke block as part of BJP state-wide farmers’ conferences at five administrative divisions.
Taking a dig at Opposition parties, for their opposition to agriculture bills, Das said that the Congress ruled the country for five decades, but the farmers’ issue remained neglected during their tenure. “The Congress headed governments always treated farmers with neglect. The farmers never received the right price for their agriculture yields as there was involvement of middlemen from farm land to markets,” added Das.
The former chief minister said that for the first time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi there is a government which cares for the welfare of farmers. He said, “The three farms laws have been brought keeping the interest of farmers, but the Congress party which has ruled for maximum period after Independence is shedding crocodiles tears against farm laws.” Das further stated that the farmers of this Country are not going to come under the guise of Congress party.
“Congress party has double standards on farm laws. The grand old party in its election manifesto has talked about the constitution of farm laws, but when the Centre makes farm laws the same party opposes it. It only indicates that Congress party tries to misguide farmers on agriculture laws,” added Das.
Parliament has recently passed the three farm reform Laws — the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Law, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Law and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Law.
Das said with the introduction of the farm laws the farmers of this country can sell their agriculture produce at mandis across the country without the involvement of middlemen.
“With the development of the IT sector there is internet accessibility in villages and rural areas. The farmers using this technology can sell their produce at any mandis of their choice at good price. Moreover, with the introduction of three farm laws there is no concept of abolishing mandis culture of minimum support price (MSP), rather the Modi government has increased MSP so that farmers’ income can double,” he said.
On peasants’ agitation at Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, the former chief minister termed the agitation as not the agitation of farmers but of middlemen. He said, “The agitation is supported by all such as the opposition party, Tukde Tukde gang, Khalistani separatists minus farmers.” The farmers’ conference at Sukurhutu was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Samir Oroan, Ranchi parliamentarian Sanjay Seth, Kanke MLA Samri Lal, Hatia MLA Naveen Jaisawal among others.
Apart from Das, senior BJP leaders today addressed Kishan panchayats at five administrative divisions. Senior BJP leader and Legislative Party Leader Babulal Marandi addressed farmers at Deoghar, former State BJP president Ravindra K Rai at Dhanbad. Union minister Arjun Munda at Saraikela while former State president Dineshanand Goswami at Medninagar.