NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday criticized the West Bengal government for denying its farmers the benefits of ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’ (PM-KISAN), prompting a strong retort from Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Prime Minister today released more than 18 billion rupees to more than nine million farm families across the country under the second tranche of the plan.
With a section of farmers protesting the new farm laws, the ruling Bjp turned the occasion into a mega exercise to reach out to the community.
Later, in a virtual event, the Prime Minister pointed to the West Bengal government and said: “Today I regret that more than 70 lakh farmers in West Bengal have not been able to reap the benefits of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi. More than 23 lakh of farmers in Bengal have submitted an online application to take advantage of this scheme. But the state government has stopped the verification process for so long. ”
Modi said that Mamata Banerjee’s government has destroyed West Bengal and was playing politics by stopping profits for farmers in the state.
He said that the whole country is benefiting from the PM-KISAN program, but only one state, West Bengal, has not implemented this scheme.
It is worth noting that Mamata Banerjee had spoken to protesting farmers in Delhi last week and assured them that her Trinamool party supports them.
A five-member delegation of TMC MPs had also met with farmers in Delhi to support their protest against the new farm laws.
PM misleads farmers with half truths: Mamata
Mamata reacted strongly to PM’s accusation, accusing him of trying to mislead farmers in West Bengal with half-truths.
“Today, the Prime Minister showed apparent concern for farmers through a televised speech, rather than working proactively to solve their problems. Although he publicly stated his intention to help West Bengal farmers through his first Minister Kisan yojana … the fact is, he’s trying to fool people with a half-truth, “Mamata said.
Mamata further alleged that the Modi government had done nothing to help West Bengal.
“They have not yet released even a part of the 85,000 crore of outstanding quotas that include GST installments of 8 billion rupees, “he added.
Send Cash Benefits Through State Government: Trinamool Congress
Mamata’s party, the Trinamool Congress, also accused the Modi government of trying to mislead farmers in West Bengal.
“The BJP is repeatedly saying that West Bengal farmers are being deprived of cash under this scheme. That is not true. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked the Center to distribute the cash benefits through the state government and not directly to farmers. The intention of the Modi government is to reap political benefits, “said TMC MP Sougata Roy.
The West Bengal government, under its ‘Krishak Bandhu’ scheme, has disbursed Rs 2,642 crore to state farmers and the budget allocation to the agricultural sector increased fivefold, Roy said.
No cash for Bengal government due to TMC’s ‘cut money’ culture: BJP
The BJP said the Center does not send money to the West Bengal government for disbursement to farmers due to the “cut money” culture of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
BJP State President Dilip ghosh told reporters here that TMC is seeking to have the cash that is being disbursed by the Center to farmers sent to the state government for subsequent disbursements.
“We have seen how the money given by Narendra Modi to the government of West Bengal to combat the disaster caused by Cyclone Amphan has been wasted as it had increased the bank accounts of the leaders of the Trinamool Congress,” he alleged.
“That is why the money will not be sent to the state government, but will be transferred directly to farmers’ accounts,” Ghosh added.
Governor attacks the Mamata government
Meanwhile, the Governor of West Bengal, Jagdeep Dhankhar, also attacked the Mamata government over the issue.
“It is a matter of concern to me that West Bengal farmers cannot benefit from Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. As governor, I have repeatedly approached the prime minister regarding this issue, but none of my letters were answered,” he said. .
BJP leaders interact with the farming community
To make the most of today’s exercise, BJP leaders interacted with the farming community at more than 19,000 locations across the country and also listened to the Prime Minister’s speech.
Under the PM-KISAN program, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to small and marginal farmers, payable in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
.
