By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Jeetu Patwari has questioned over the State Budget 2026–27, dismissing its projection as a “farmer welfare” document. He said mere claims of dedication to the farming community could not conceal the distress prevailing in the fields.
Patwari argued that while the government speaks of agricultural empowerment, farmers continue to struggle with declining real incomes, rising input costs, crop risks and mounting debt. The prices of diesel, fertilisers, seeds, pesticides and electricity have steadily increased, he noted, while timely procurement at the Minimum Support Price remains uncertain. Delays in payment, lack of storage and inadequate market returns, he said, are pushing cultivators towards moneylenders and bank loans.
Citing data from the National Crime Records Bureau, he sought transparency on reported suicides of farmers and agricultural labourers between December 2023 and January 2026, and demanded details of rehabilitation, debt relief and mental health support measures.
He also referred to protests in the Ujjain and Indore regions over land acquisition for infrastructure projects, alleging inadequate compensation and rehabilitation.
Patwari called for a legal guarantee of MSP, expansion of irrigation, zero-interest farm loans and effective disaster relief, asserting that farmers are the backbone of the State’s economy, not merely a vote bank.
