The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Maharashtra): In a significant outreach to the farming community, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during a farmers’ rally in Nashik, Maharashtra, assured comprehensive policy initiatives to bolster the agricultural sector if the INDIA alliance is elected to power. Joined by key figures like NCP (SP) head Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Gandhi underscored the alliance’s commitment to becoming the “voice of farmers.”
Key promises include the exemption of agriculture from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the restructuring of the crop insurance scheme to ensure farmers’ benefits, protection of crop prices in the context of export-import policies, and the implementation of a singular tax structure for the sector. Furthermore, Gandhi reiterated the Congress’s commitment to providing a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Price (MSP), in line with the Swaminathan Committee’s recommendations.
Highlighting economic disparities, Gandhi criticized the current administration for waiving a substantial debt amounting to Rs 16 lakh crore for industrialists, contrasting it with the UPA government’s farmer debt waiver of Rs 70,000 crore. He emphasized the importance of extending similar relief to the farming community.
The rally also touched upon the contentious Agnipath scheme, with Gandhi drawing parallels between the country’s soldiers and its farmers, stating that both are indispensable for national progress. Sharad Pawar echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, pointing to the government’s perceived indifference towards farmers’ struggles, including inadequate pricing for agricultural produce leading to widespread debt and suicides.
Sanjay Raut affirmed the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (comprising Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena UBT) support for Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to advocate for farmers’ and citizens’ rights, aligning with the INDIA bloc’s objectives.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh later elaborated on the proposed measures, including the establishment of a commission to determine the specifics of the loan waiver and the revision of the crop insurance scheme to favor farmers over private companies. He criticized the Modi government’s policy orientation, emphasizing the central role of farmers in the INDIA alliance’s policy framework.
These announcements mark a critical moment in the run-up to the elections, showcasing the INDIA alliance’s strategy to prioritize agricultural reform and farmer welfare in their campaign promises.
