Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday withdrew the agriculture investment policy, which was announced on August 3, saying it was only a voluntary alternative arrangement for the farmers benefit.
Lucknow, Aug 23 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday withdrew the agriculture investment policy, which was announced on August 3, saying it was only a voluntary alternative arrangement for the farmers' benefit.
Addressing a press conference here, Mayawati said the government has ordered the closure of all Reliance Fresh stores in Lucknow and Varanasi.
She said the State retail policy would be reviewed soon.
According to the new agriculture policy unveiled by Mayawati on August 3 for the State, the private players were given free choice to procure crops directly from farmers and open retail centres.
"It will benefit about 12 crore (120 million) farmers in the State and attract an investment of about Rs 30-40 crore (300-400 million) in next three-four years, creating a new wave of employment," Mayawati had told reporters after unveiling the policy.
According to the policy, investors willing to make a capital investment of minimum of Rs 5,000 crore (50 billion) in the next three years will be permitted to purchase crops from the farmers directly.
Besides, several provisions were made under the policy to save farmers from exploitation by the middleman and ensure competitive prices of their produce by allowing private parties to purchase their produce.
Mayawati's policy came under criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which said that the policy aimed at helping some big capitalists in the country and "would ruin small and marginal farmers".
It was feared that the policy would lead to a massive use of fertilizers by investors that would damage land productivity.
ANI