National
Modi failed to keep promise to farmers: Congress
New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS) Claming that agricultural growth under the Narendra Modi government came down to 1.9 per cent, the Congress on Wednesday alleged that it failed to keep its promises of an MSP 50 per cent more than agricultural input cost and a loan waiver for farmers.
The party said that 38,000 farmers committed suicide in three years, which indicated a 35 per cent increase in such suicide committed during Modi government’s rule.
It also urged the government to take concrete steps for farmer welfare in the Union Budget and provide loan waiver to them.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised a minimum support price that was 50 per cent more than the agriculture produce’s cost for farmers. It was mentioned in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto (before the 2014 general elections). But today, we see there is an increase of just Rs 10 or Rs 20 in the MSP. Modi is not talking about it anymore.
“Now, as the 2019 election is coming closer, he is saying we will double the farmer’s income in 2022,” said Congress Spokesperson R.P.N. Singh.
“A farmer’s input cost is going up; you can see the diesel rate going up to Rs 60.66 in Delhi. Through taxes, the government has earned Rs 1.6 lakh crore. In three-and-half years, the government has earned more than Rs 9 lakh crore from petrol and diesel taxes.
“Why is this money not being given to the farmers,” Singh asked.
Singh said the average agricultural growth for 10 years during earlier United Progressive Alliance rule was 4 per cent. “In October 2017, a report said it has reduced to 1.9 per cent,” the Congress leader said.
“In 2013, rural wages recorded a 17.6 per cent growth, but this year it was 6.6 per cent. Farm loan waiver in Uttar Pradesh was a farce. During the UPA rule, we gave Rs 77,000 crore as loan waiver to farmers.
“Forget about loan waiver, the Centre has not even waived a single rupee of the farmers but have benefitted the corporates with more than Rs 1.30 lakh crore waiver,” he added.
Singh said under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, only big players have benefitted and not the small and poor farmers.
“In Madhya Pradesh, bullets are being fired at the farmers; they are being beaten up in Rajasthan; and most farmer suicides are in Maharshtra.
“The potato farmers in Uttar Pradesh, out of compulsion, dumped their produce in front of government offices and state assembly to protest,” he added.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.