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Centre covering up agrarian distress with propaganda: Farm activists
New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) NGOs working in the agriculture sector on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of trying to cover up the agrarian crisis in the country –which they said was caused due to its “flawed policies and inaction” — with propaganda.
A bunch of non-government organisations along with Yogendra Yadav-led Swaraj India released ‘Green Paper on Farmers, Farming and Rural Economy 2018′ to highlight farmers’ plight and expose what they dubbed the government’s “false claims”.
Tearing into the government for making 12 “major blunders” in farm-related areas, Yadav said the National Democratic Alliance government in power since 2014 was the “most anti-farmer” government in the history of independent India.
“The Economic Survey 2018 pointed out decline in rural wages, lower prices for agricultural produce, even below MSP (Minimum Support Price). Even farmers’ income are either stagnant or declining in the last four years,” Yadav told the media here.
“We are not saying that the previous governments did anything good for farmers but the present government is actually bringing them down. However, it is busy in showing off, indulging in publicity, and betraying the promises it made to farmers. It is the most anti-farmer government since independence.”
Kiran Kumar Vissa of Rythu Swarajya Vedika said the government’s various schemes had failed to provide relief to farmers but private companies and traders.
Private insurance companies made windfall gains through Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the ambitious crop insurance scheme brought by the government, he said.
The government was not serious about ‘market intervention scheme’ and ‘price support scheme’ — mechanisms to support farmers in the wake of price fall — as the allocation was low, Vissa said.
“After farmers’ protest, the central government came up with ‘market assurance scheme’. But it asked the states to take responsibility. However, the states said it was not possible to implement this on a large scale unless the Centre allocates funds,” he said.
These activists said the government not only reneged on its pre-poll promise of 50 per cent profit on input cost of agricultural produce but also brought down the routine annual increment in the MSP.
“The BJP-led government has tried to wash its hands off drought-relief efforts. It has also diluted different environment laws protecting ‘adivasis’, besides regulating livestock markets, which dealt a severe blow to farmers,” Yadav said.
The government had stopped releasing funds for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which would aggravate rural distress, these activists said.
They demanded the government should implement MSP for all agricultural produce, including milk and eggs.
“Also, the MSP for the existing produce under the MSP system should be increased. The government should declare debt-relief package, and form statutory Farmers’ Income Commission to ensure basic living income to farmers,” said Avik Saha of Jai Kisan Andolan.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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