Chouhan threatens to call strike if centre fails to give relief package to MP

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Tuesday threatened a state-wide strike if the Central Government failed to accede to his demand for a relief package for farmers, who suffered massive loss of rabi crop due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm.

"They are not at all sensitive. Even after he visits a number of times, the PM has refused to meet the chief minister. This is intolerable. It is against the spirit of the ideology of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is against democracy.

"So the BJP has decided to call for a half-day bandh on the March 6 to give a voice to the farmers' grievances if the Centre does not initiate a special relief package for the state." said Chouhan.

Heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh have caused massive damage to life, crops and property in rural areas.

Earlier on February 28, Chouhan had said that at least 49 districts have been flooded with water, killing people, cattle and other animals.

The Chief Minister had announced a compensation for the affected farmers and said that relief would be provided in all possible ways.

Chouhan announced monetarily relief for the families of farmers who died due to rains or lost their livestock.

He also appealed to the federal government to provide aid to the affected people, and to form schemes to protect the victims in future.

Chouhan further added that the Centre should immediately address the farmers' woes.

Most of the farmers are already heavily in debt as they borrow money to make the initial investment to plant the crops only to loose the crops as well due to extreme weather conditions.