Ahead of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh next year, Chief Minister Raman Singh today announced a bonus to farmers for the last season's as well this season's paddy procurement.
Paddy farmers are protesting at many places in the state demanding a minimum support price of Rs 2,100 and bonus of Rs 300 per quintal, as promised by the ruling BJP in its poll manifesto in 2013.
"Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direction, the state government has decided to give a bonus to farmers for paddy procurement in 2016-17 and 2017-18," Singh said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.
Earlier, Singh attended a meeting of BJP MPs, MLAs and office-bearers.
"Bonus to the tune of Rs 2,100 crore for paddy procurement in the last year's season (2016-17) will be disbursed ahead of Diwali which will benefit 13 lakh farmers. A bonus for the procurement to be done in this season (2017-18) will be given next year during Vikas Yatra," Singh said.
The chief minister said he had raised the issue of drought-like situation in Chhattisgarh in his meeting with Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
"I had informed the PM that more than 50 development blocks in the state are facing drought-like situation due to scanty rainfall, and this will lead to a drinking water crisis. Subsequently, the PM directed me to disburse a bonus to farmers," he said.
Later in the evening, the state Agriculture Department issued an order to pay a bonus of Rs 300 per a quintal of paddy procured in 2016-17.
The Congress, however, accused the ruling party of treating farmers only as voters.
"The BJP has cheated farmers by giving bonus for only one year. It is nothing but a failed attempt to gain the support of farmers in the polls," said state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel.
"The BJP had promised MSP of Rs 2,100 and bonus of Rs 300 during 2013 elections. It cannot escape (its responsibility) by giving bonus for only one year," he said.
The government should give the promised bonus and MSP for three years (since 2013), the Congress leader demanded.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)