By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 21: The TMC on Saturday launched an attack on the NPP government for its alleged negligence of farmers, who, the Opposition party said, have been deprived of benefits under the PM Kisan scheme and questioned the reason for the non-disbursement of the amount to the farmers.
“Farmers of Meghalaya are yet to receive fruits of the PM Kisan scheme since 2018-2019 when it was launched in the state. As many as 1.95 lakh farmers have been registered under the scheme,” said TMC vice president George B Lyngdoh.
Providing figures, he said in 2018-19, the amount was Rs 1.84 crore, while in 2019-20, it was Rs 16.80 crore. Further in 2020-21, the figure was Rs 17.37 crore and in 2021-22, it was only Rs 2.78 crore and it was Rs 30.88 lakh in 2022-23.
“What has the government done to make up for the loss of the farmers? Why has the amount not been disbursed and where is the missing amount?” he questioned.
He pointed out that the government has deprived the farmers of the amount that was meant to be disbursed to them.
“As promised, a sum of Rs 6,000 was about to be disbursed to them each year, but that amount is now missing. At the same time, the government is silent on the issue. There is no explanation from the government as to why the amount under the PM Kisan scheme has not been disbursed,” he added.
The state government has been claiming that it is doing its best to improve the financial status of farmers by showering lots of schemes and also providing them with market linkages.
The party also criticised the NPP-led MDA coalition for hiding the inquiry reports of the MeECL and rice scam and asked the government to come up with unique welfare-oriented schemes.
“We feel that the government is hiding corrupt practices under these various schemes. The government has assured about publicising the report earlier. It promised to circulate reports to all the members of the house in the State Assembly,” Lyngdoh said.
He expressed his dismay over the fact that the inquiry reports of the rice scam and MeECL are yet to be sent to the MLAs even though Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong promised to do so on the floor of the House.
Responding to the criticism against the TMC’s ‘We Card’ and ‘MYE card’, he said,”Now, it seems several leaders are questioning our intent on various schemes meant for the poor. I must say that our unique ideas have been wholeheartedly accepted by the people.”
Alleging the government’s involvement in rampant corruption over the past four-and-half years, he said, “Swindling public money and pocketing them by hiding reports which are supposed to blow the lid off corruption has become a new normal for the government.”
“Why are the leaders of the NPP not questioning their government when these reports are not being publicly circulated?” he said.
He added, “The people of the state would be more grateful if leaders respond to their call of duty rather than resorting to mere lip service.”