Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a broadside against Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad, asking “what did he do for farmers when he was the Union Agriculture Minister”, here on Thursday.
Addressing a rally of farmers at Kakadi village near the Shirdi pilgrimage town, Modi said -- without taking names -- that one senior leader of Maharashtra served as the Union Agriculture Minister under the then Congress government.
“Personally, I have all respect for him… But what has he done for the farmers? Senior leaders from the state have only played politics in the name of the farming community,” said Modi.
Citing figures, the PM said that in his seven years as Union Agriculture Minister, Pawar procured foodgrains from farmers across the country by giving a minimum support price of Rs 3.50 lakh crore.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has given Rs 13.50 lakh crore to the farmers as MSP in seven years, said Modi, even as breakaway NCP (AP) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar looked on, in the presence of Governor Ramesh Bais, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Modi said that before 2014, many schemes that were announced for farmers were not working, and they had to fight for their compensation, were forced to depend on middle-men for their payments, and struggled many months for their dues.
However, after the BJP formed government, the scenario changed as it empowered the tillers by directly depositing over Rs 1.15 lakh crore into the farmers’ bank accounts, Modi said.
Even for the present Rabi season, the MSP has been enhanced for various crops which will benefit the peasants of Maharashtra immensely, he added.
The PM on Thursday inaugurated several developmental projects, including the left bank of the 85 km long canal network of the Nilwande Dam which will provide piped water to 182 villages and other benefits to the farmers, “who had been starving for water for decades”.
He spoke of the benefits to all farmers, including sugarcane, detailing how thousands of crores of rupees aid had been given to sugar factories, setting up of over 200,000 cooperative societies in the country, over 7,500 FPOs and other schemes for the farming community.
“Maharashtra has a lot of strength. The country will progress only if Maharashtra develops. We have launched many infrastructure and development projects, we have completed several other projects for connectivity that will benefit the farmers and the common people… We are determined to make India a developed nation,” said Modi.
He also said the Nilwande Dam, for which the state was waiting more than five decades, has finally been completed, urging that “water is a gift of god and you should not waste a single drop”.
Earlier, Modi prayed at the famed Saibaba Temple in Shirdi and recalled how he had visited the place five years ago for its centenary celebrations.
Priority given to development of border villages in North Eastern states: Union MoS Dr. L Murugan
The Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L Murugan on Thursday arrived here at Agartala on a two-day visit to the state and laid emphasis on proper implementation of the flagship programmes of the Prime Minister.
MHA sanctioned another Tripura State Rifles battalion: CM Saha
An official of the Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the decision to create another TSR battalion was taken based on Chief Minister Manik Saha's proposal placed before Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent meeting in New Delhi.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks support from DoNER ministry for AIMS in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday attended the second meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Investment Promotion in the North Eastern Region chaired by the DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and sought support of the ministry for establishment of AIMS in Tripura.
Man held with stealing gold worth Rs 1 lakh while selling in jewelry shop
Alertness by a local jeweller and swift police action led to the arrest of a 24‑year‑old man who tried to sell stolen ornaments at SB Jewellers opposite Kali Bari in Bishramganj Madhya Bazar on Thursday afternoon.
Man found hanging in abandoned office
A sense of deep sorrow has gripped the Madhuban Jharjharia area under Amtali after the lifeless body of a young man was recovered from an abandoned building near the local electricity office on Thursday afternoon.
State making steady progress across all sectors: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that solving the basic problems of the people is one of the goals of the present government and Tripura is moving forward in all areas including health, education and sports.
State Cabinet passes resolution congratulating PM Modi, armed forces for success of 'Operation Sindoor'
The Tripura State Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, extended its heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for the successful execution of the anti-militancy mission, Operation Sindoor.
Maulana Azad National Urdu University cancels MoU with Turkish institute
Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute of Turkey in the wake of Turkey's support to Pakistan in the recent Indo-Pak conflict following the terror attack at Pahalgam.