Centre, Raj govt ignoring interests of farmers: Surjewala

The Congress today accused the BJP- led Centre and the Rajasthan government of betraying farmers and neglecting their interests while benefiting private insurance companies in the name of Pradhan Mantri Crop Insurance Scheme.
AICC incharge of communications, Randeep Surjewala said that over ten private insurance companies were empanelled by the Centre for the crop insurance scheme launched in April last year and a premium of Rs 17,184 crore was paid but the amount given by to the farmers by the company was only Rs 6,804.48 crore.
"The net profit of the insurance companies was Rs 10,376.31 crore," he said at a press conference here.

"The BJP governments at the Centre and Rajasthan have betrayed the farmers and always neglected their interests. The farmers had no choice but to commit suicide. Bad loans of corporate sector were written off by the Modi government but it did not waive loans of farmers," he said.
He alleged that the government has only helped hoarders.
"The government has cut short the budget of farmers' welfare schemes which exposes its double standards," Surjewala said.
"Rampant corruption is prevailing under the BJP rule both at the Centre and states. Vyapam scam, PDS scam, Lalitgate scam are clear examples but no action was taken," he said.

PCC President Sachin Pilot said that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should make efforts to get a special package announced for the state.