KATHUA: Senior Vice President JKPCC and former Minister Sham Lal Sharma on Wednesday accused the BJP-PDP government in the state for adopting ‘anti-farmer’ policies leading to their woes.
Speaking during ‘Kissan Sammelan’ here at Jatwal, Sham said that the present Central and State Governments had promised farmers that the support price of their yield will be increased by 50 per cent and the same was also incorporated in their election Manifestoes but despite passing of two years these dispensations did nothing to fulfill promises.
He said that the farmers are facing great hardships due to cost escalation and vagaries of the weather and as resultant effect farmers are committing suicides.
“Despite the announcement made by the State Government for waiver on 50 per cent Kissan Credit Card (KCC) loans, in the Budget Session last year, the department has, however, so far given no such waiver,” he added.
He said farmers were feeling depressed and insecure and living a miserable life due to very high rates of fertilisers and seeds. “They are getting a meager return of their produce and there is no mechanism on the part of government to procure farmers yield,” he maintained.
Sham expressed anguish that BJP Government is celebrating its two years in power by inviting bollywood celebrities to stage musical events despite the fact that most of India and Kandi areas of Jammu are reeling under severe draught leading to farmers’ suicides.
Taking dig at BJP, Sham said that while campaigning for Parliament and Assembly elections BJP befooled people of Jammu by making tall promises like giving Rs. 15 lakh to each family member and settlement of various issues of border population and refugees, but after coming to power all these assurances were shelved leaving people longing for even basic amenities.
The event was organised by Dewan Khajuria Chairman Kissan Cell Kathua. G.L Chalotra Ex-MLA, Pankaj Dogra PCC Secretary Working President Kathua, Sarpanch’s Jagat Ram, Balak Nath, Vinay Sharma and Rakesh Kumar were also present.