On the occasion of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary congress chief Sonia Gandhi launched the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay scheme in Chhattisgarh through a video conference.
“This kind of scheme should be implemented to bring changes in people's lives. Such a revolutionary scheme is a true tribute to Rajiv Gandhi,” Sonia added.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said this scheme aims to help farmers earn more and increase cultivation areas in the state. As per the government, this scheme will benefit 19 lakh farmers and an amount of Rs 5,756 crores has been allocated in the 2020-22 budget of the state. The amount will be paid in four installments directly to farmers, the first installment of Rs 1,500 crores has been transferred to 19 lakh farmers during the launch of the program.
Elaborating the scheme he said,“ Chhattisgarh purchased paddy, maize, and sugarcane at MSP and now under the scheme, we will give Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers who grow paddy and maize and Rs 13,000 per acre for sugarcane farmers. A total of 19 lakh farmers will be given an amount of Rs 5,700 crores”.
Last year Baghel government has purchased paddy at the Rs 1815 per quintal and said as the center didn’t allow them to buy at Rs 2500, which was its promise in the election manifesto. Later the government said it would pay the difference Rs 15,231 crores directly to the farmers for the purchase of 83.67 metric tonnes of paddy.
Rahul Gandi who was also part of the conference praised the Chhattisgarh government for launching the scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic when the country has been under lockdown, which effected farmers hugely. “ I had requested the present government in the centre to provide the financial need for the farmers as at present they need cash not loans. Chhattisgarh government’s economic situation is not in a good position still, they decided to bring relief for farmers,” he said.
“ Our leadership has been promoting direct cash transfer schemes. We have seen good results of cash transfer in Chhattisgarh prior year. So, our cabinet decided to put money in farmers' hands again. I am confident that this scheme will help farmers during the pandemic crisis and also revive the rural economy post-COVID-19,” CM Bhupesh Baghel said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party Chhattisgarh questioning the scheme said, “ This is ‘Anyay Yojana’ not Nayay Yojana. This scheme has four instalments which will be no use to the farmers”.
