Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Former minister and senior NC leader Ajay Sadhotra today said that BJP Govt’s anti-farmer mind set has been badly exposed after the cabinet decision of the Union Govt to leave it to Kissans if they want to get their crops insured or not as announced by Union Agriculture Minister Narinder Tomar.
Reacting sharply to the decision of Union Cabinet, Sadhotra termed it as sad and unfortunate. He alleged that BJP Govt at the Centre and in Jammu & Kashmir has adopted anti- Kissan policies instead of making ‘Fasal Bima’ compulsory and increasing Govt share of premium in insurance of Fasal from 50% to 90% as is being given in North East States, Govt has decided to leave it up to Kissans to decide whether they want to insure their crop or not.
Sadhotra emphasized that it is the duty of the Govt to ensure that crops of the farmers are fully ensured and in case of any eventuality they could get immediate adequate compensation at least full cost of sowing. It will give a sense of security to Kissans.
National Conference leader slammed that BJP Govt is in habit of giving hype and then withdrawing or not fulfilling its promises. Kissans suffered badly since this Pardhan Mantri Fasal Bima scheme was started as Banks & Insurance companies exploited poor Kissans for their gains and BJP Govt only promoted the interests of Bankers and Insurance companies ignoring the interests of poor farmers. He alleged that instead of correcting and plugging holes in Pardhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna to ensure that Kissans are fully compensated in case of loss to their crops, Union Cabinet has left it to Kissans in other words BJP Govt has accepted that Pardhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna was a flop show.
He expressed his serious concern over the way the Kissans have been dealt in Jammu & Kashmir after 100% loss of Paddy Crop. Govt is giving Rs 675 per Kanal compensation where as only cost of sowing paddy is more than Rs 2500 per Kanal. It is very astonishing that 100 % loss have been done to the paddy crop and even could not sow wheat. Sadhotra termed it as cruel joke with the poor farmers.