New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday wrote a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, expressing serious concerns about the challenges faced by farmers in the national capital.
In his letter, Chouhan accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of ignoring the needs of farmers and failing to implement central government schemes designed to benefit them.
BJP’s allegations against AAP government
Chouhan stated that AAP government, under both former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the current administration led by Atishi, has shown indifference toward farmers’ welfare. He alleged that Kejriwal’s government made several promises before elections but failed to act in the farmers’ interest after coming to power.
The Union Minister accused AAP government of neglecting farmer-friendly initiatives like the Integrated Horticulture Mission, National Agricultural Development Scheme, and Seed Village Program. He highlighted that these schemes, supported by the central government, could provide subsidies for polyhouses, cold chain infrastructure, crop residue management, and other agricultural needs.
What Shivraj Singh Chouhan said
According to Chouhan, farmers in Delhi have been unable to benefit from programs such as the Krishi Vikas Yojana, which supports agricultural mechanization, soil health improvement, and micro-irrigation. He also pointed out that under the Seed Village Program, benefits like seed testing, infrastructure improvement for labs, and assistance for traditional seed varieties have not been extended to farmers in Delhi.
Chouhan also criticized the registration of tractors and harvesters as commercial vehicles in Delhi, leading to higher costs for farmers. He claimed that electricity rates for farmers are excessively high despite the AAP government’s claims of providing free electricity. He alleged that irrigation equipment in Yamuna villages has been disconnected, putting farmers’ livelihoods at risk.
In his letter, Chouhan urged the AAP government to rise above political rivalry and prioritize farmers’ welfare. He emphasized that providing relief to farmers is the duty of all governments, irrespective of political affiliations. He also appealed to the Delhi government to implement central schemes and take concrete steps to support the farming community.
