PANAJI
The Congress has demanded that the government release a 'white paper' on land left fallow and the State's crop production while accusing the ruling dispensation of failing to deliver on promises made to deliver subsidies to farmers in the State.GPCC General Secretary Moreno Rebelo led a group of Congressmen who accosted the Director of Agriculture demanding timely release of subsidy payments and support price for farmers.
Rebelo said, farmers expect to be paid the subsidies government announces through schemes and it forms an essential part of the economic viability of their operations which get badly affected when it is not paid.
According to Rebelo, the Agriculture department must increase support price on paddy and coconut besides the quantum of subsidy for purchase machinery.
“It is unfair that the government has delayed payments,” Rebello said.
The party also demanded that the government declare crop production details as also cultivable land left fallow.
Another Congress leader, Viriato Fernandes alleged that the government has hatched a conspiracy to sell agricultural land to outstation investors and is discouraging farmers.
“Government is trying to strangle farmers by delaying their assistance,” he said, accusing ministers of being oblivious of the reality on the ground.
He said, it is foolish to urge youths to venture into agriculture without providing them any facilities.
“Actually government is trying to make us dependent on neighbouring states, so they get commission from agents while procuring vegetables and fruits,” Fernandes alleged.
