The farming community is divided over the Union Budget unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The FM proposed a 10-percent hike in the farm-loan disbursal target to 16.5 lakh crore. However, the allocation for Department of Agriculture was slashed by 8.5-percent.
PM-Kisan Scheme also saw a 13-percent drop; 10,000 crore less than last year’s allotment.
Amidst the ongoing farmer’s agitation, FM introduced an agri-infra cess of 100 percent to create post-harvest infrastructure for improving farmers’ income.
Farm-unions have said that they are only concerned about getting the three farm-laws repealed and not about what has been offered to the agriculture-sector.
Leader Tikait said, “Our demand was to increase the price of crops, not agriculture credit. Within 10 years, the corporate will take your land. The fight is for the rate of crops, not for credit. They didn’t talk about MSP. There is nothing for farmers.”