Press Statement issued by BJP National Spokesperson
Sh. Prakash Javadekar

While Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi was giving lips sympathy to the farmers in Raibareli, 11 more farmers committed suicide in last 72 hours in Vidarbha region. 3 farmers from Amaravati and Washim district and 2 from Yawatmal and 1 each from Bhandara, Nagpur and Wardha are the unfortunate farmers, who were failed by the hollow promises of Central and State Congress government. Farmers suicide continue unabated and figure since January 1, 2008 has crossed over 140 in 50 days. Congress is shedding crocodile tears on the condition of farmers without any concrete action plan. It is the Congress economics, which has deprived Indian farmers, of their dues and have never got remunerative prices. The agrarian crisis won't be over till remunerative prices and irrigation facility is made available to the Indian farmers.

The BJP demands immediate acceptance of recommendations of Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) about MSP for various crops. The Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) has recommended MSP of Rs. 1,000 for wheat and paddy and has recommended substantial increase in MSP for all crops across the board. CACP has recommended Rs. 2,000 for Arhar and Rs. 2,520 for Moong Dal. It has also recommended Rs. 2,100 for Groundnut, Rs. 1,350 for Soyabean and Rs. 2,215 for Sunflower. Cotton growers have been recommended a price tag of Rs. 2,500-3,000 for different verities. Though these are not fully in tune with the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission, which has suggested MSP with a formula of 50% addition on the cost of production. Unless, farmer get remunerative prices the plight of farmers will never improve. CACP recommendations are the first step to ensure remunerative prices.

The recent National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) has found out that 43 million farmers (48% of 90 million farmers) were indebted. This is the result of not assuring remunerative prices to the farmers. If the prices had been assured, the farmers would have definitely repaid their outstanding loans. BJP demands immediate announcement of agriculture loan remission policy and write off loans upto Rs. 50,000 as one time measure. Loan waiver should be treated as overdue payment to farmers being adjusted in their loan accounts.

Heavy public investment in accelerated irrigation projects, changes in Land Acquisition Act 1894, more institutional credit, farm income guarantee insurance scheme and ensuring more productivity with technology transfer is needed to revive the agriculture in the country.

(Shyam Jaju)
Office Incharge