Bengal BJP chief criticises state govt for not enlisting their names in PM KISAN scheme

KOLKATA: BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday criticised the state government for not enlisting their names in PM KISAN 20th instalment scheme as the scheme has already been disbursed in various states.

According to Bhattacharya, as Bengal has not enlisted their names in various Union government schemes they are lagging behind in every sector and as a result Bengal people are being deprived compared to other states.

Bhattacharya claimed that the rate of farmers dying in snake bites has increased in Bengal over the years, but there is a lack of anti -venom drugs in various state run hospitals.

Once Burdwan, in Bengal was called the rice bowl of India, but now the situation has changed. The rice production in Burdwan has decreased over the years in Bengal.

Bhattacharya also claimed that even cotton production has decreased and the cotton producers have to pay commercial electricity bills for their production.

Most of the cotton that is worn in Bengal comes from Surat.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday has extended the PM-AASHA price support scheme in agriculture till 2025-26 that will involve an outlay of Rs 35,000 crore and is meant to provide farmers with better prices and manage price volatility of essential commodities.

The extension of PSF will help build strategic buffer stocks of pulses and onions, addressing price swings and curbing hoarding.

Meanwhile, the scope of PDPS will be expanded to cover 40 per cent of state oilseed production, offering more farmers protection from price drops.

Additionally, the government will absorb transport and storage costs for key crops such as tomatoes, onions, and potatoes during peak harvests, supporting efforts to control inflation and ensure stable prices across the country.