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Chandigarh, Oct 10 (IANS) Farmers in Punjab will get free wheat seeds worth Rs 44.40 crore from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, state BJP general secretary Anil Sarin said on Friday.
“This timely initiative will serve as a lifeline for those preparing for the upcoming Rabi season after facing severe crop losses due to floods,” he said.
He said, under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), it will be ensured that farmers having less than five acres of land will get free wheat seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
“Helping farmers at this critical time, as flood-hit Punjab struggles to recover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a huge relief package to small and marginal farmers through free distribution of certified wheat seeds,” Sarin said.
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Central Government for providing timely and comprehensive assistance to the flood-affected farmers of Punjab, he appreciated the Centre’s consistent support, highlighting how the Modi Government has ensured increase in MSP for crops, regular Kisan Samman Nidhi transfer and continuous coordination with the state machinery to protect the interests of farmers.
“While the Punjab government failed to protect farmers during the floods, it is the Modi government that has once again come forward as their true guardian. The Centre’s assistance has helped restore hope among lakhs of affected farmer families.”
Reiterating the BJP’s commitment towards the state’s farmers, Sarin said the Modi government’s recent steps prove its dedication not only towards flood relief but also towards long-term agricultural resilience and farmer welfare.
Earlier, Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reacted to the statement of Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who said that the state government is treating the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) as its own fund and no change is possible in the rules of its usage.
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg in a statement termed the Governor’s statement and the Centre’s stand as unnecessary and said that SDRF is basically State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Garg had insisted on the Home Ministry’s statements and the Governor had only indicated that the Center was “in no mood to change the SDRF rules”.
Advising the Center to give up its stubborn attitude, he had said that ‘if we really want to help the people, then the rules will have to be amended according to the current needs.’
He had urged the Central Government to think like a people-oriented government and amend the rules without any delay to help the people of Punjab.
–IANS
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