Asserting that the NDA government was pro-farmer, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the ruling coalition had several schemes planned for the farmers, and those could be implemented only if a strong government came at the Centre.Addressing a rally here, he listed various measures taken by his government for the benefit of farmers during the last five years, including the setting up of farmers’ commission, farmers’ credit card, krishi insurance scheme and increasing the minimum support price of various foodgrains.He attacked the Congress saying that it had the habit of destabilising the government and cautioned people against giving mandate to any anti-farmer government.Vajpayee said the NDA government had wanted another green revolution in the country. He also accused certain state governments of indulging in politics over the issue of food and droughts. The Prime Minister said due to the efforts of farmers and scientists, during his government’s rule, foodgrain production had increased many times, allowing the government to combat droughts.‘‘Had there been no foodgrain stocks, some states would have had to see famine. The Centre sent foodgrain and water by train and allowed nobody to die,’’ Vajpayee said. Attacking the Congress, he said it had thought all problems had been solved after the country became independent. But even 56 years later, poverty and unemployment prevailed, he added.
