Farmers hold ‘Kisan Sansad’ in Delhi, pass own ‘Krishi Budget’

Rejecting 13% budget allocation for 70% people living in rural India, several hundred farmers assembled at Jantar Mantar today passed their own alternative ‘Krishi Budget’.

Accusing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of neglecting farmers’ plight and long-term crisis in the agriculture sector, farmers told National Herald that the Union Budget reflected the Government’s uncaring attitude. “It neither provides us any relief nor any hope for the future,” was the refrain.

“We feed the country but we feel ignored. Year after year governments make announcements, sometimes they throw us some crumbs but that is not enough. We need systematic overhauling,” exclaimed an angry farmer from Mewat at the Kisan Sansad.

Calling the FM’s ₹1,87,223 crore allocation “insufficient” for rural, agricultural and allied sectors, leader of political party Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav, said, “After demonetisation farmers of this country expected some relief measures like a loan waiver, even I was expecting that the government would announce something big for farmers but the budget speech came as a disappointment.”

Ridiculing Arun Jaitley’s target of ₹10 lakh crore as agriculture credit as a “routine exercise” Yadav said, “Every year the Government increases ₹50,000 crore for agriculture credit. Last year it was ₹9.50 lakh crore and before that it was ₹9 lakh crore. So, what is the big deal about it.”

“Moreover the FM should not boast about it because it will not be given by the government but the credit burden will be borne by our public-sector banks. I would have praised the budget if the FM had announced a loan waiver or committed to pay the interest at least,” he declared.

Former minister Sompal Shastri said that farmers can only avail benefits of the Fasal Beema Yojana when crop is ruined or damaged by natural disaster and pest attacks although “failure of Monsoon and drought like situations are no less disastrous. By increasing the Fasal Beema Yojana cap from 30% to 40% government cannot address the crisis,” he stressed.

Holding placards, posters and banners, farmers vowed to continue the struggle for their just share. Former agriculture minister Sompal Shastri presented the alternative budget in the Kisan Sansad, which was accepted unanimously.