Farmers' outfit flays UP Krishi Kumbh, BJP defends

A day after the Uttar Pradesh government's mega agri-expo Krishi Kumbh ended here, a farmers' outfit flayed it Monday terming it as a mere "window-shopping opportunity" for peasants, having no money to adopt the farming machineries or techniques displayed in the show.

"The three-day Krishi Kumbh, which concluded in the state capital yesterday was a failure and blatant misuse of public fund," said Rashtriya Kisan Manch chief Shekhar Dixit.

"It was simply a window-shopping opportunity for the farmers, who could see the modern agriculture machinery and the latest techniques. But, these could not be taken to the agriculture fields as the UP government has done nothing to empower the farmers economically," he added.

Held at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow by the state government in association with the Centre, the agri-expo was aimed at showcasing the state's agriculture potential and provide farmers a platform to interact with experts in the field.

Rebutting Dixit's charges, UP BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai said, "The allegations levelled by the opposition parties and some organisations are absolutely baseless."
Earlier, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and state Agricultural Minister Surya Pratap Shahi had entered into a Twitter war over holding of the Krishi Kumbh with the former chief minister wondering "what type of Kumbh is it where instead of 'amrit' (nectar), the farmers are getting 'vish' (poison)?"