‘Rs6k is less, if amount has to be hiked it has to be done now’

Nagpur: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme at Gorakhpur, back in the city a small group of farmers from nearby villages was brought to witness the event.
Gathered at the auditorium of National Bureau of Soil Survey (NBSS), along Amravati Road, over 40 of them waited patiently for the webcast of the launch programme to begin. Not much enthused with the development, the farmers said they needed a higher amount and the decision should have come much before elections if the BJP wanted to gain out of the move.

“It is election time so they are out to please us, but the amount is just a pittance. The first instalment of Rs2,000 hardly means anything even by rural standards,” said Sarvan Dhable, a farmer from Umred tehsil, among the audience. “If Madhya Pradesh government can announce a pension of Rs1,000 why can’t Maharashtra. The Rs6,000 dole is not going to get them new votes, only earlier affiliations would work,” said another farmer from Kalmeshwar.

The event at NBSS was organized by National Research Centre for Citrus (NRCC), a central government agency along with state’s agriculture department. Establishments under the agriculture ministry were given mandate to arrange such events for farmers to witness the launch programme. The agriculture department had arranged vehicles for the farmers trip to Nagpur.

There were instructions to invite MP or MLA as chief guest. At NBSS, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest along with Dr Anil Bonde, BJP MLA from Morshi in Amravati district.

Speaking before the webcast of Gorakhpur event, Gadkari listed out measures taken by the government for farmers’ benefit. He said the plan to disburse a yearly dole of Rs6,000 was first of its kind, and Bonde went on to say that state government can also come up with a matching contribution.

“In that case it is OK and would also translate into votes for the BJP,” said the farmers. Over 70-year-old Deorao Varti of Minewada village in Katol, who was earlier critical of the government, softened on being pointed out about the probable addition from the state government.

“Whatever they want to do should be done before the elections, there is a little time left. If no decision is taken at this juncture, it would be taken merely as empty promise,” said Varti.

“It’s election time and parties are trying to beat each other in pleasing farmers. The Congress declared debt waiver in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and BJP countered it with the Rs6,000 dole. Let’s see who does more,” said Sukdhakar from Masada village in Katol.

“Let’s not forget that the scheme is only for farmers having land within five acres. This means others will be left unhappy, especially the bigger farmers. The politicians must know that in rural areas the big farmers also employ a large number of locals, and they can influence their vote too,’ said Sunil Akhande from Masada.

“It’s just the beginning. The government can increase the amount and also ease the norms. No other government had come up with such scheme so far,” added Ankush Gaikwad, also from the same village.

14.26 lakh from Maha among over 1cr beneficiaries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi disbursed the first instalment of Rs2,000 dole to select farmers on Sunday. Over one crore farmers, including 14.26 lakh from Maharashtra, were among the beneficiaries from the country.

Morshi MLA Dr Anil Bonde said the initial payment was made to select farmers. It was done on the basis of their election or ration cards. However, in coming days the farmers will have to submit their Aadhaar number for getting the amount.