Addressing a huge farmers rally here today Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has given top priority for the welfare of the farmers by focusing on development of agriculture.
New Delhi, Mar 9 : Addressing a huge farmers rally here today Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has given top priority for the welfare of the farmers by focusing on development of agriculture.
Charging the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime for neglecting the farmers' interests, Singh outlined various actions undertaken by his government for the welfare of the farmers.
In its General budget for 2008-09 proposals, the Central Government has announced a loan waiver package of 60 thousand crores rupees aimed at benefiting around four crore small and marginal farmers, the Prime Minister pointed out.
Agriculture sector has witnessed a four per cent growth during the UPA regime, Singh said at the rally named 'Dhanyawad Abhinandan'.
The Government has launched the National Food Security Mission and the National Krishi Yojana at an estimated cost of 35,000 crore rupees, he added.
He emphasized that during the last four years the government has increased the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat and paddy.
The UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minster Pranab Mukherjee and other senior Congress leaders were also present.
A meeting of PCC chiefs and CLP leaders has been called on March 10 to decide upon state-level conventions and rallies to reach out to the people, especially farmers.
ANI