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Modi government betrayed farmers on MSP: Congress
New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) The Congress party on Wednesday flayed Narendra Modi government’s “historic” decision to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers 1.5 times their cost of production, saying it is just a “political lollypop” as the amount is no way near the fair value.
“The MSP announced today (Wednesday) for different crops does not satisfy ‘cost plus 50 per cent’ condition in any way. They have used prices suggested by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) for the previous year,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
He said the Modi government has cheated the farmers by not considering the full cost of cultivation and increase in prices of various farm inputs like fertilizers.
His remarks came after the Union Cabinet approved MSP for summer-sown crops for the year 2018-19.
As against the MSP announced by the government for various crops, the Congress also released its list showing the “actual” value that should have gone to farmers based on “C2” bundle of input costs with more number of components than the “A2” bundle used by the government.
“On June 20, 2018, Modi interacted with the farmers on NaMo App and promised them ‘cost plus 50 per cent’ based on ‘C2’, but seems that was just a rhetoric. The government has conveniently sidelined various other things like price rise of farm inputs,” said the Congress man.
While the government considered per quintal cost of production of paddy as Rs 1,166 and the MSP (after adding 50 per cent of the cost) as Rs 1,750, the Congress had the production cost at Rs 1,484 and the corresponding MSP at Rs 2,226, a difference of Rs 476. Similar differences were found in other crops, ranging up to Rs 1,414 for cotton.
The Congress leader said prices of diesel, fertilizers, insecticide0s, electricity charges and farm equipment have grown significantly over the last few years but the Modi government has gone ahead and become the first in India’s 70-year history to tax farmers and agriculture.
“This is the first government to tax farmers and farming activity. GST taxes on fertilizer is 5 per cent, on tractors and farming equipment 12 per cent and it is 18 per cent on tyre, tube, transmission parts, pesticides and cold storage equipment,” Surjewala said.
Further, the Modi government’s Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has actually benefited the crop insurance companies more than the farmers themselves. The insurers earned Rs 14,828 crore as profit, while the payment to farmers was Rs 5,650 crore in 2016-17, he said.
Earlier, announcing the Cabinet decision, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said the “historic” decision was a part of the NDA government’s plan to double farmers’ income by 2022.
–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.