BARGARH:Ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21 to address a ‘Kisan Sammelan’, the Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSSS) has come down heavily on the BJP for not fulfilling its election promises for the welfare of the farmers.
The POKSSS which has put four posers to the Prime Minister has described the visit as a political gimmick.
Reminding the BJP of its election manifesto, the POKSSS has questioned the silence of the BJP led Union Government on implementation of MS Swaminathan Commission report which it had promised. It has also asked Modi about decision to stop payment of bonus on agriculture produce to farmers. The POKSSS alleged the new crop insurance policy announced by the Centre will deny any benefit to farmers and expose them to exploitation by insurance companies with crop insurance being handed over to private players. They also questioned about the promise to fix minimum support price (MSP) at 1.5 times more than the cost of production made by the Prime Minister during election campaign.
Saroj, spokesperson of POKSSS, said the 10 per cent cut in agriculture budget by the Centre speaks volumes about the commitment and sincerity of the BJP Government. He said farmers are committing suicide not only in Odisha, but also Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana and the Centre has failed to reach out to them or thought it necessary to speak a word of compassion.