Madha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Madha, Maharashtra, Tuesday, April 30, 2024.(IANS)
Dharashiv (Maharashtra), April 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked if a weak government can make a strong nation and if the Congress government can take India to new heights. He also accused the party of being a betrayer.
“Can a weak government make a strong nation? The Congress has only one identity, i.e. betrayal,’’ said PM Modi in his speech at a campaign rally for NCP nominee, Archana Patil from Dharashiv constituency.
Patil is pitted against the Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Omraje Nimbalkar.
Stepping up his attack against the Congress party, PM Modi claimed that it had failed to provide water for agriculture.
He said that the Union government took a slew of steps to help farmers and boost agriculture.
In his speech PM Modi countered Nimbalkar’s criticism against the government’s apathy towards soybean farmers.
“Before 2014, the government had procured pulses and oil seeds worth Rs 12,000 crore in 10 years. However, the government through the Minimum Support Price has procured and supplied pulses and oil seeds worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore in 10 years. This is just a trailer as the mission is still to be achieved. The government is resolved to make the country self-sufficient in pulses and oil seeds,” he added.
“The Congress is now eyeing your money and keeping an eye on your wealth. They intend to raid your house and loot half of your wealth. The Congress is preparing to grab mangalsutras and ornaments from women,” PM Modi alleged.
“The Congress also hates India's heritage. Devotees from all over the country are going to see Lord Ram. The Congress, fake Shiv Sena and fake NCP were invited for the inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya but did not turn up. Are you going to vote for such people?” asked PM Modi.
He alleged that during the Congress’ rule, terrorists used to attack and run away and at that time, the party used to appeal to the world to save the country.
PM Modi targets Pawar on farmers’ plight, neglect of irrigation sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack against NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar without naming him, saying that he had taken an oath to end drought from Madha region 15 years ago but failed and the people from Madha, Marathwada and Vidarbha regions continue to reel under acute water scarcity.
“The leader who has failed to fulfil his promise, has no guts to contest from Madha constituency. The same leader has deceived the people,” PM Modi claimed.
The PM was speaking at a rally in Malshiras while campaigning for BJP nominee Ranjit Singh Naik Nimbalkar who is fighting against NCP(SP) candidate Dhairyasheel Mane from Madha constituency.
“When a big leader of Maharashtra was the agriculture minister, he did not give an adequate price to sugarcane farmers. I was tired of sending letters in the interest of sugarcane farmers during his tenure but nothing happened,’’ claimed PM Modi.
However, he said that during the BJP’s 10 year rule at the Centre, the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) given to sugarcane farmers increased substantially.
“During his tenure as the agriculture minister no efforts were made to increase the FRP which was at that time Rs 200 per quintal and was increased to Rs 350 per quintal during our rule,” he added.
“The leader from Maharashtra was the agriculture minister but why could he not waive the income tax imposed on the sugar mills? We did it. We gave a boost to ethanol production that helped the sugarcane farmers to get additional Rs 70,000 crore,” he said.
PM Modi said the government has been focussing on the implementation of irrigation schemes across the country, especially those which were suspended by the Congress during its term.
“Nearly 63 schemes out of 100 irrigation schemes have been completed in the country while the balance will be finished soon. Our government has provided piped water to more than 11 crore households in the last five years. Micro irrigation has doubled in the last 10 years. My aim is that farmers and agriculture should benefit from these schemes,” he noted.
PM Modi said the Ministry of Cooperation was created to strengthen cooperatives in rural areas.
In 2019, about 10,000 Farmers Producers Organisations were established and they have been expanded to undertake online sales.
“To enable the small farmers to store foodgrains, the foodgrain storage scheme has been launched. Onion farmers will also benefit from it. The government has also announced its commitment to help potato, onion and tomato farmers,” he added.
