Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], June 14 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday criticised the Congress party, holding it responsible for the poor condition of farmers, despite having enjoyed power for 55 years.

In contrast, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, since assuming office in 2014 as the Pradhan Sevak, has consistently empowered and strengthened the farming community, viewing them as a vital pillar of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and working to make them self-reliant.

Addressing farmers from across the state during the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan at Kurukshetra University, Saini was joined by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana.

Saini praised the recent central government decision to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various crops and thanked the Prime Minister for the move. He accused the Congress of misleading farmers by claiming that the MSP would be abolished if Modi became Prime Minister. However, he said, since 2014, the MSP has consistently been raised in favour of farmers.

‘The opposition should introspect before questioning the government on farmer welfare and refrain from making statements that harm farmers,’ he said.

Citing figures, the Chief Minister said that during Congress rule, INR 7.41 lakh crore was allocated for crop MSP, while the Modi government provided INR 23.61 lakh crore over the last 10 years. For wheat alone, the Congress provided INR 2.56 lakh crore till 2014, whereas the Modi government allocated INR 5.65 lakh crore.

He added that while Congress allocated INR 1,900 crore for pulses, the Modi government has provided INR 98,000 crore. For oilseeds, Congress provided INR 9,000 crore, compared to INR 65,000 crore by the present government, which was transferred directly into farmers' accounts. In the case of crops like cotton, Congress spent INR 26,000 crore, whereas the Modi government has given INR 1.33 lakh crore.

Saini said these figures clearly show Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to increasing farmers’ income and improving their lives.

The Haryana government, he said, is also making continuous efforts for farmer welfare. Haryana is the first state in the country to decide to purchase all crops at MSP. To protect farmers from market fluctuations, the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana was introduced, under which INR 111 crore has already been disbursed.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, INR 6,563 crore has been transferred to the accounts of nearly 20 lakh farmers in Haryana. Through the e-Kharid portal, INR 1.48 lakh crore has been paid to 12 lakh farmers for crop purchases at MSP over the last 10 seasons.

Saini, referring to his own background as the son of a farmer, said he understands the struggles of the working class and holds farmer welfare as a personal priority. He thanked the Prime Minister for entrusting him with leadership of the state, calling it an honour for a farmer’s son.

He also recalled the plight of farmers during Congress rule, when cheques for compensation as low as INR 2 or INR 5 were issued. In contrast, the present government, he said, has paid fair compensation. During Congress rule, INR 1,155 crore was paid to farmers for damages in 10 years, while the current state government has disbursed INR 15,145 crore over the same period.

Recently, the government announced compensation of INR 30,000 per acre for crop loss due to fire, he said, adding, ‘Every step of this government is aimed at strengthening the farmer.’

(ANI)