By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Jeetu Patwari has accused the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of betraying farmers by withdrawing from the procurement of wheat and paddy. He described the decision as “an open act of deceit and economic exploitation” of farmers.
Patwari said that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a letter to Union Minister Prahlad Jos-hi, made it clear that the state government would no longer handle wheat and paddy procurement, shifting the responsibility to the Food Corporation of India (FCI). “This decision directly strikes at the interests of farmers,” he remarked.
He warned that once FCI takes over procurement, large quantities of wheat and paddy would be rejected on quality grounds, forcing farmers to sell their produce at throwaway prices to private traders and middlemen. “Farmers will incur heavy losses, and their hard-earned income will once again be looted,” he said.
Patwari further alleged that the BJP government has repeatedly deceived farmers with false promises — whether on bonuses, minimum support prices, or the mismanagement of procurement centres. “Now, the government has completely turned its back on the procurement system, showing that it serves corporate interests, not farmers,” he added.
Calling for an immediate rollback of the decision, Patwari urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the state government continues procurement as before. “The Congress stands firmly with farmers and will fight for their rights and dignity — from the streets to the Assembly,” he declared.
