Nilanjan
The Congress party in Madhya Pradesh has announced a new scheme for the welfare of farmers in the state ahead of the assembly elections due later this year. The scheme, named Krishak Nyay Yojana, aims to reduce the input cost of the farmers and provide them with various benefits such as loan waiver, free electricity, and withdrawal of cases. The former chief minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath made the announcement on July 26, 2023, while addressing the media in Bhopal. He also attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to fulfill its promises to the farmers and accused it of corruption and mismanagement.
What is Krishak Nyay Yojana?
Krishak Nyay Yojana is a proposed scheme by the Congress party for the farmers of Madhya Pradesh. According to Kamal Nath, the scheme will have the following features:
- The scheme will continue the farmers’ loan waiver program that was initiated by the Congress government in 2018 but was stopped by the BJP after it came to power in 2019.
- The scheme will also waive off the old electricity bills of the farmers that have accumulated over the years.
- The scheme will provide free electricity for irrigation pumps up to 5 horse power to the farmers.
- The scheme will withdraw all the cases registered against the farmers during their protests for their demands in the past.
- The scheme will ensure 12 hours of continuous electricity supply to the farmers for their agricultural needs.
Kamal Nath said that the scheme will be implemented if the Congress party forms the government in the state after the elections. He said that the scheme will reduce the input cost of the farmers and increase their income and savings. He also claimed that the scheme will be better than any other scheme offered by any other party or government in the country.
Why did Kamal Nath announce Krishak Nyay Yojana?
Kamal Nath announced Krishak Nyay Yojana as part of his party’s election campaign for the upcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh. The state is expected to go to polls in November or December this year. The Congress party is hoping to regain power in the state after losing it to the BJP in 2019.
The announcement of Krishak Nyay Yojana is seen as an attempt by Kamal Nath to woo back the farmers who are considered to be a crucial vote bank in the state. The farmers constitute about 70% of the state’s population and have been facing various issues such as low crop prices, high input costs, debt burden, and erratic power supply. The farmers have also been protesting against the three farm laws passed by the central government last year, demanding their repeal.
Kamal Nath said that his party stands with the farmers and will fight for their rights and interests. He said that his party had fulfilled its promise of waiving off loans of up to Rs 2 lakh for each farmer within 10 days of coming to power in 2018. He also said that his party had increased the minimum support price (MSP) for various crops and provided bonus payments to the farmers. He accused the BJP of reversing all these measures and betraying the farmers.
How did BJP react to Krishak Nyay Yojana?
The BJP, which is currently ruling Madhya Pradesh under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, dismissed Krishak Nyay Yojana as a “jumla” (rhetoric) and a “fraud” by Kamal Nath. The BJP leaders said that Kamal Nath had cheated and done injustice to the farmers during his tenure as chief minister and was now trying to fool them again with false promises.
The BJP leaders also claimed that their government had done more for the farmers than any other government in history. They said that their government had provided various benefits to the farmers such as crop insurance, direct benefit transfer, interest-free loans, subsidy on seeds and fertilizers, and compensation for crop damage due to natural calamities. They also said that their government had supported the farm laws passed by the central government, which they said were beneficial for the farmers.
The BJP leaders also challenged Kamal Nath to give an account of his achievements during his 15-month rule in Madhya Pradesh. They alleged that Kamal Nath had indulged in corruption and nepotism and had failed to deliver on his promises. They also accused him of laying foundation stones for various projects without completing them and taking commissions from contractors.
What are some twitter reactions to Krishak Nyay Yojana?
Here are some twitter reactions to Krishak Nyay Yojana from different perspectives:
- Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath): Today, I announced the Krishak Nyay Yojana for the farmers of Madhya Pradesh. This scheme will reduce the input cost of the farmers and provide them with various benefits such as loan waiver, free electricity, and withdrawal of cases. Congress stands with the farmers and will fight for their rights and interests. #KrishakNyayYojana
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj): Kamal Nath is trying to mislead the farmers of Madhya Pradesh with his Krishak Nyay Yojana. He had cheated the farmers by not waiving off their loans and now he is making false promises again. BJP has always worked for the welfare of the farmers and will continue to do so. #BJP4Farmers
- Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala): Krishak Nyay Yojana is a historic step by Kamal Nath ji to empower the farmers of Madhya Pradesh. This scheme will ensure that the farmers get fair prices for their crops, adequate electricity for irrigation, and relief from debt burden. Congress is committed to make Madhya Pradesh a prosperous state. #Congress4Farmers
- Narottam Mishra (@NarottamMishra): Krishak Nyay Yojana is a jumla and a fraud by Kamal Nath. He has done nothing for the farmers during his rule and now he is making hollow promises. BJP has given various benefits to the farmers such as crop insurance, direct benefit transfer, interest-free loans, subsidy on seeds and fertilizers, and compensation for crop damage. BJP is the only party that cares for the farmers. #BJP4MadhyaPradesh
