New Delhi: Congress party, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on the BJP led-Central government over the fertilizer price hike saying that the decision is 'anti-farmer' as it will put additional Rs 20,000 crore burden upon the agriculture community.
This comes after the Central government increased the prices of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) by a whopping 63 per cent due to which a 50 kg bag will now cost Rs 1900, which was earlier for Rs 1200.
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While addressing a press conference, Congress Chief Spokesperson and General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government has decided to ruin the farming community of India. This government is an enemy of farmers. It seems like PM wants to enslave the 62 crore farmers and labourers of this country."
Highlighting that 14.64 crore farmers cultivate 15.78 crore hectare of land, as per the Agriculture census, Surjewala alleged that in the past 6.5 years, Modi government has taken various decisions which have put an additional burden of Rs 15,000 crores upon the farmers.
"Conspiracy of three black laws, huge increase in diesel prices, tax on farming, running away from its promise of debt waiver of farmers, loot in the name of the crop insurance scheme and now fertilizer price hike, putting an additional burden of Rs 20,000 crore, proves that BJP's DNA is anti-farmer," Surjewala said.
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He also claimed that a month back, when this price rise was being reported, BJP said that no such decision was taken but later the party increased the rates from the 'back door'.
Congress demanded the Central government to immediately roll back this decision and stop 'looting' farmers.
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