PM's Advisory Council Focusing on Farmer Policy Ahead of Multiple State Elections Next Year

New Delhi: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) in its third meeting on Thursday under the chairmanship Dr Bibek Debroy deliberated on issues of employment and agriculture with special focus on coming up with a policy on farm income.

"Farm income which includes providing proper remunerative prices to farmers and ensuring crop security is going to be a primary agenda in the days to come," said a member of the committee under conditions of anonymity.

The NITI Aayog made presentations on options to enhance agri-productivity and the rural minister made presentations on mission Antyodaya for poverty-free panchayats.

PMEAC members also discussed focus areas for upcoming Budget and the next meeting will finalise Budget inputs. They will meet again in early January to finalise Budget recommendations.

Dr Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog made a presentation on “Strategic options for enhancing agricultural productivity, income and pro-employment growth in Agriculture and Allied Sectors” along with Amarjeet Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development making a presentation on the “Mission Antyodaya for Poverty Free Panchayats”.

After Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, eight other states go for elections next year. The farmer policy assumes importance as there are farmer agitations going on in the country especially during the times of Gujarat elections.

On being asked whether multiple elections next year will affect policies, the member under anonymity said, "it sure will. But that is the party's prerogative, we are an advisory committee. We only suggest in formulation."

Member of PMEAC Rathin Roy, had on 10 December said that the forthcoming budget will not be a ‘populist’ one and will reflect the commitment of the government to improve quality of expenditure.

The government, Roy said, will come with yet another good budget, which is likely to be presented on February 1. “I would not think any populism is permissible. I think the government will present a responsible budget, which will reflect its expenditure quality and commitments. I don’t think that the government will use the budget to be populist. I am very confident that political authorities understand this,” added Roy.

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government came to power in May 2014 and the next general elections are due in 2019. The government shall be presenting its last full fledged budget on 1 February 2017.