Congress MP Slams Modi Government Over Unfulfilled Farming Promises

Senior Congress MP Randeep Surjewala criticized the Modi government for failing to double farmers' income as promised, claiming farmers' earnings have decreased. He highlighted reduced budget allocations and subsidies for agriculture, and raised concerns over farmer suicides and profits made by insurance companies under PM Fasal Bima Yojna. Other MPs joined the discussion, emphasizing the need for minimum support price and better agricultural infrastructure.

Senior Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Thursday criticized the Modi administration, stating its pledge to double farmers' income by 2022 has proven to be a ''jumla,'' with farmers' earnings actually declining.

During a discussion on the agriculture ministry's operations in the Rajya Sabha, Surjewala hit out at the BJP for neglecting the plight of the poor. When Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha raised issues concerning Dalits, farmers, and the working class, BJP's retort was to question their caste.

He stated that despite the central government claiming a significant increase in budget allocation for the agriculture sector, Rs 1 lakh crore had not been spent over the past five years and the amount was ''surrendered.''

Additionally, Surjewala pointed out that the latest Union Budget slashed funding under various agricultural schemes pertaining to fertilizers and dairy, supporting his statement with data.

Surjewala added that the subsidy has been reduced by around Rs 25,000 crore for urea and P&K fertilizers alone.

Continuing his critique, Surjewala mentioned the PM Fasal Bima Yojna and cited that between 2016-17 and June 30, 2024, farmers paid premiums totaling Rs 2,29,789 crore while insurance companies profited Rs 63,648 crore, describing it as a ''profiteering'' scheme for any insurance company in the country.

He also highlighted the Modi government's introduction of three controversial farm laws (now revoked) and the failure to procure crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

He brought up the issue of farmer suicides, noting that over one lakh farmers had taken their own lives in the last decade, questioning the BJP's conscience.

Despite the revocation of the three farm laws, the promise of an MSP law remains unfulfilled, he added. CPI (M) member John Brittas also addressed the issue of increasing farmers' income, recalling that an inter-ministerial report on the subject has been neglected.

NCP's Fauzia Khan mentioned that Maharashtra accounts for 37% of the country's farmer suicides, while CPI (M) member Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya stressed the need for statutory protection of MSP to honor Dr. MS Swaminathan's recommendations.

Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party noted that perishable vegetables worth Rs 60,000 crore are lost annually due to inadequate food processing and cold storage facilities.

Other MPs, including Subhash Barala, KR Suresh Reddy, Dola Sen, and Beedha Masthan Rao Yadav, among others, also participated in the discussion.