Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: Former Minister and senior vice president of Pradesh Congress Committee Sham Lal Sharma today accused the BJP-PDP Government in the State of adopting ‘anti-farmer’ policies which have led to their woes.
Speaking at a Kissan Sammelan at Jatwal in Kathua, Sham said the present Central and State Governments had promised farmers that the support price of their yields would be increased by 50% and the same was also incorporated in their manifesto, but nothing has happened.
The program was organized by Dewan Khajuria, chairman, Kissan Cell Kathua in presence of G L Chalotra Ex-MLA, Pankaj Dogra secretary PCC (working president Kathua) and Sarpanchs Jagat Ram, Balak Nath, Vinay Sharma and Rakesh Kumar.
Sham Sharma said two years have lapsed since the formation of coalition Government in the State but the promises made with the farmers have not been fulfilled as a result the farmers were facing numerous difficulties due to cost escalation and vagaries of weather
“He added that despite announcement made by the Government of waiver on 50% Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) loans, in the budget session last year, the department has, however, so far given no such waiver”, he said.
He said farmers were feeling depressed and insecure and living a miserable life due to very high rates of fertilizers and seed. They were getting a meager return of their produce and there was no mechanism on the part of Government to procure the produce of the farmers. Sham alleged that two years have passed and there is drought across India and Kandi areas of Jammu, farmers were committing suicide and killing themselves but the BJP is celebrating two years.
He said BJP befooled the people at the time of Parliament and Assembly elections by making huge promises like giving Rs 15 lakh to each person, settlement of various issues of border population and refugees but none of these promises were fulfilled.
He also said BJP leaders have no sense of responsibility and respect towards the needs and sentiments of the people of Jammu.
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