LoP Jully attacks BJP govt for failing to procure Bajra at MSP

THE CAG REPORT ALSO RAISED INEFFICIENCIES IN THE SEED VILLAGE PROGRAM MEANT TO PROVIDE SUBSIDISED CERTIFIED SEEDS TO FARMERS

- HT Correspondent

JAIPUR: The leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Tikaram Jully criticised the BJP-led Rajasthan government on Thursday for failing to procure Bajra (pearl millet) at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), along with alleging that the state has not provided desi ghee to pregnant women as was promised in their poll manifesto.

Jully accused the government of failing to purchase Bajra at MSP despite its availability in the market, and raised concerns over alleged discrepancies in the procurement of peanuts.

During the Question Hour, Jully said that not a single grain of Bajra had been purchased at MSP. He further accused the government of irregularities in peanut procurement in Bikaner, pointing out that "while preparations for wheat procurement were underway and Bajra was available in the market, it was not being bought at MSP". He urged the government to either procure Bajra at MSP or stop the "drama."

In response, food and civil supply minister Sumit Godara countered, stating that in 2014, the MSP for Bajra was ₹1,250 per quintal, but it has now increased to ₹2,600 per quintal. He claimed that farmers were receiving prices higher than the MSP in the market, attributing this to Prime Minister Modi's farmer-friendly policies.

"58% of the promises made in the BJP's manifesto have already been fulfilled, and the promise of Bajra procurement would be honoured in the remaining time," Godara added.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Manish Yadav questioned the BJP's manifesto promise of providing 5 litres of desi ghee to pregnant women. Yadav questioned the minister about the fulfilment of the promise, pointing out that no ghee had been distributed yet, despite the commitment in the manifesto.

In his written response, health minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar said that the process of delivering the 5 litres of ghee was underway.