New Delhi: BJP released it's manifesto today in presence of top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi at BJP headquarters in the national capital. As the agrarian crisis and farmer's distress has been on the top of the national issues, wooing the section has also been on the top priority of political parties.
Releasing it's vision document in the name of 'Sankalp Patra', BJP leader Rajnath Singh reiterated Modi government's claim to double farmer's income by 2022. Adding to the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi direct benefit transfer scheme the party has promised to make it open for all farmers in the country irrespective of the land holding they have.
Also as the main highlights of 'Sankalp Patra' for farmers, Ramnath Singh who has been heading the manifesto committee of the party this time promised to provide interest free loan of Rs 1 lakh for up to 5 years and zero interest in case of timely repayment.
The manifesto also promises pension scheme for small and marginal farmers and a lot more if the incumbent party returns to power for yet another term.
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ETV Bharat spoke to MJ Khan, the Chairman of Indian Council for Food and Agriculture who conveyed the high level meeting held at Home minister Rajnath Singh's residence last month to discuss in the issues and vision for 2019 BJP Manifesto for farmers.
According to MJ Khan, all the promises made by BJP is possible to achieve except for the foremost promise of doubling farmer's income by 2022.
"I have been in touch with the senior most officers who are heading the committee for doubling farmer's income and even they hope that the target is achievable only by 2025" said MJ Khan, chairman ICFA.
A lot has been discussed and talked on implementation of Swaminathan Committee's report and almost all the farmer unions have been demanding for this since long but surprisingly the vision document presented by BJP has rather chosen to go by their own plans and roadmap.
However, MJ Khan believes that the government has already been following up with the vision presented by the Dr. Swaminathan long back and many of the current government's schemes such as increase in MSP has been opted from there only.
Talking Exclusively to ETV Bharat, ICFA chairman expressed that any government that comes to power will have to focus on improving agriculture sector and empowering farmers as problems are there in the sector.
