By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Media In-Charge Mukesh Nayak has blamed the state government’s policies for what he described as a “dispirited and joyless Diwali” for farmers and the common people. Addressing a press briefing, Nayak said that this year’s Diwali was celebrated only by about 20 per cent of the population, while 80 per cent could merely watch and lament their situation.
He remarked that there was “no real reason to celebrate”, as many families could not afford essential items like soybean oil, which has reached ₹180 per litre. Several households, he said, were forced to mark the festival with simple fare. Crop damage and lack of compensation have worsened the distress among farmers.
Questioning former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s claim of making agriculture a profitable venture, Nayak said the promise had proven hollow. He cited the soaring prices of agricultural equipment and diesel, poor crop returns, and rampant fertiliser black marketing as key factors crippling farmers.
Nayak highlighted that DAP fertiliser, officially priced at ₹1,350 per bag, is being sold at ₹2,000–₹2,500 on the black market, while urea priced at ₹267 per bag fetches ₹450–₹500 privately. Farmers, he added, queue for hours only to find supplies exhausted. Despite a government promise of ₹6,000 per quintal for soybean, they are receiving only ₹2,700–₹3,500, while excessive rainfall and yellow mosaic disease have already ravaged the crop.
Calling the Bhavantar payment scheme a “false claim”, Nayak criticised the delayed registration process, which he said deprived 35–50 per cent of farmers who had already sold their produce before Diwali.
Taking a swipe at Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nayak termed the lavish wedding of his son and his helicopter arrival with a spade as “mere theatrics”, contrasting it with Congress chief Jeetu Patwari’s solidarity walk carrying a 50-kg sack for farmers.
Nayak demanded fair crop prices, affordable fertilisers, and timely relief for the farming community.
