BJP is committed to farmers welfare: Virendra Singh Mast

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union cabinet announced several sops for the farmers of the country, including the extension of the PM-KISAN scheme and a new pension scheme covering over five crore farmers.

New Delhi: With the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union cabinet announcing several sops for the farmers of the country, including the extension of the PM-KISAN scheme and a new pension scheme, Bharatiya Kisan Morcha president Virendra Singh Mast on Saturday appreciated the government for the steps taken in support of the farmers.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Mast expressed his confidence in the newly formed government and said, "Modi government is committed to the betterment of farmers of the country. UPA government wrongly accused BJP of increase in farmer's suicide rates. The rates have gone down as compared to UPA government."

Taking a dig at Congress, Mast said, "Congress kept promising ₹72,000 to farmers, but farmers were aware of the fake promise and chose the right government."

Addressing rural distress in its first meeting on Friday, the Union Cabinet approved a new pension scheme for small and marginal farmers across the country and extended the ambit of the direct income support scheme for farmers by removing the ceiling of two hectares to cover more beneficiaries.

The benefits of PM-KISAN Yojana have now been extended to all 14.5 crore farmers of the country.

Read: Rahul Gandhi shouldn't resign; those responsible should: Ravneet Bittu