BJP fields Rajnath to counter Rahul’s farmer charges

On Friday, Singh visited Banda in Uttar Pradesh to meet farmers who have been severely hit by the recent unseasonal rain and hailstorm. He also reviewed fields at Mahokhar village in Banda, which had suffered crop damage.

Bringing Singh to the forefront can be seen as a counter-tactic adopted by the BJP to fight the Congress’ aggressive campaign against the Land Bill. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has been on a spree of visits – from Punjab to Maharashtra – stressing that the government is anti-farmer and pro-corporate. Gandhi has even attacked the Prime Minister and the NDA government for its anti-farmer policies in Parliament.

“Interacted with farmers and agricultural labourers in Banda district of Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh today. The Centre has made changes in norms to purchase shrivelled grains and tweaked the standards on moisture content to help farmers. Spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on providing immediate relief to hailstorm-affected farmers,” Singh tweeted on Friday.

His further said, “The Centre has released Rs 253 crore in advance. (We have) Assured UP CM that the Centre will reimburse the amount, after the report of an inter-ministerial team. The Centre has not only increased the compensation for farmers, but also reduced the criteria for compensation from 50 per cent damage to 33 per cent.”

While addressing a farmers’ rally in the district, Singh said, “After returning from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, I discussed the problems being faced by farmers with the Prime Minister. It was decided that whatever be the condition of wheat (after crop damage due to unseasonal rain), it will be sold. The order has been passed on to states as well.”