Sharad Pawar was in corrupt UPA govt which looted Vidarbha farmers: Modi

Ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Modi’s visit to Yavatmal set the stage for a pre-poll campaign, where he pitched a slew of welfare schemes for farmers, the youth and the poor.

“When a Maharashtra union agriculture minister ( Sharad Pawar) was in the corrupt UPA government at the Centre, the package for farmers were announced in Delhi. Unfortunately, the middle men looted the funds allocated for farmers. As a result and despite the agrarian crisis, farmers in backward regions of Vidarbha were deprived of their rightful share,” PM Modi said.

“Look, today I just pressed one button, and within seconds Rs 21,000 crore has been credited in the individual bank accounts of farmers across country. In Yavatmal alone, through central and state schemes, Rs 900 crore has been credited in farmers’ accounts. It is a huge amount. Through the PM Krishi Samman Yojna and Maha Namo Shetkari Samman Yojna, each farmer annually receives Rs 1,200. For a small farmer it is an amount which matters. This is what is called Modi Guarantee.”

While outlining reforms taken up by his government over the last ten years across various sectors, especially those targeted towards the poor, the youth, farmers and women, Modi said, “The policies and programmes implemented in the last ten years during my regime has laid a strong foundation for the next 25 years. Therefore, when we say Modi’s guarantee, it means promises made are fulfilled. Our trust has been empowered by dalits, adivasis and small and marginal farmers. We believe in empowerment of the poor, farmers, the youth and women who are integral for transformational change in any society, state and country.”

The PM referred to the Vishwakarma Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana as a means of emancipating the poor and women. “We allocated Rs 13,000 crore under Vishwakarma yojana. Our goal is to make one lakh crore women lakhpati didis.”

Modi, who had visited Yavatmal before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, held a chai pe charcha with in distressed districts of Vidarbha. Before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls he addressed women’s self-help groups.

“In 2014 when I came to Yavatmal, you blessed me. NDA crossed 300 seats. In 2019, my visit led to people giving greater support to NDA and crossed 350 seats. In 2024, as I visit Yavatmal, I am confident of your support, which will see NDA cross 400 seats.”

Modi, who focused on agriculture and farmers, directed his attack towards the previous Congress-NCP government led by Sharad Pawar to emphasise their failure to tackle farmer problems.

“Since Independence, the Congress was in power for the longest period. But what did they do for Vidarbha farmers who have been reeling under farm crisis and water problems?” He said.

“When we came to power in 2014, we emphatically pushed the irrigation projects which were languishing for several decades. Out of 100 mega irrigation projects sanctioned through PMKSY, the highest number, 26, were from Maharashtra. We expedited and completed some. Out of these, 13 are completed and work on others are underway. The Gosikhurd National Irrigation Development project, which is integral for Vidarbha, was put on hold for the past several decades. We fast tracked the project with our government allocating maximum funds. Earlier, the Nilwande Dam in Ahmednagar district (North Maharashtra) was put on hold for 30 years. We completed it providing much needed relief to farmers. Apart from these, there are 91 state irrigation projects under the Baliraja Krishi Sinchan Yojana, which promises to irrigate 80,000 hectares of land.”

Emphasising the importance of making women self reliant, Modi spoke about their role in operating drones.

“Through proper training we will soon have women operating drones in the agriculture sector. The Centre’s decision to raise the minimum support price of sugar cane to Rs 340 per quintal will go a long way in uplifting cane cultivators and farm workers.”

“Through PMAY, the poor, OBCs, dalits and adivasis are getting homes which they were deprived of in the past. Out of 100 houses, only 20 had access to water through taps or pipelines. We ensured 80 out of 100 households get tap water. Our thrust is to make water accessible to every household.”

During his visit to Yavatmal, Modi inauguarted the Deendayal Upadhyaya statue which depicts his life and works. “Deendayal Upadhyaya through selfless service gave us the concept of antyodaya. We are taking it forward to ensure the fruits of development reaches every person” he said.