Union Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India cannot become a Visksit Bharat without a Viksit Punjab. He assured the farmers of Punjab that the Central Government would not compromise with their interests. He said every agreement signed with any country will be done by keeping their welfare in mind first.

Addressing farmers and others at Baba Bakala in Amritsar district during the Rakhar Punya programme yesterday, he said opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party is spreading false narratives that the Central government is signing agreements against the interests of the farmers, but this is not the case. Chouhan said the Centre is committed to ensuring that farmers benefit from its welfare schemes. Mr Chouhan said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Punjab has received central support of more than 8 lakh 20 thousand crore rupees under various schemes.

These include PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Awas Yojana, PM Jan Dhan, MSP for farmers and fertiliser subsidy. He said that for the development of villages in the state, 1,331 crore rupees have been given this year under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G RAM G Yojna). The Union Minister specifically blamed the Punjab government for not implementing Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which would have compensated the farmers who were affected in last year’s floods in the state.

He said the centre is trying to do everything possible for the welfare of Punjab farmers through various schemes, but the AAP government in the state is becoming a roadblock in implementing them. He accused both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party of failing to undertake concrete work for the welfare of farmers and the common people. He also criticised the state government for the deteriorating law and order situation and drug menace in Punjab.