Mamata hints at implementing PM Kisan scheme; Bengal to hold assembly session to pass resolution against farm laws
Continuing her tirade againstthe Centre over the new farm laws, West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee on Monday said arrangements would soon be madeto convene an assembly session to pass a resolution againstthe contentious Acts.
With assembly polls knocking at the door, Banerjeealso hinted that she was ready to implement the PM-Kisanscheme in Bengal, if the farmers benefitted out of it and saidshe had asked the Centre to share details of all those whohave registered themselves on the Union governments portalfor the programme.
Banerjee, however, asserted that said she would neverallow the implementation of the three farm laws, which havesparked protests across the country.
“We are against those farm laws. We would soon convenean assembly session for a day or two and pass a resolutionagainst the anti-farmer laws,” Banerjee said.
Bengal, if it passes the resolution, would become thesixth state in the country to do so, after Kerala, Delhi,Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
The CMs remarks came on a day when the seventh roundof talks between protesting unions and three central ministersended inconclusively, as farmer groups stuck to their demandfor repeal of the three farm laws, while the government listedout various benefits of the new Acts for the growth of thecountrys agriculture sector.
“I support the farmers and want the withdrawal ofthese three laws for the sake of the country,” she said,slamming the Centre for not revoking the Acts.
Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana andwestern Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at Delhi borders forover a month against the three laws. They have stayed putdespite heavy rain and waterlogging at protest sites over thelast couple of days, besides severe cold weather conditionsprevailing in and around the national capital.
Accusing the Centre of “pursuing politics” over theissue of implementation of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi in Bengal,Banerjee said she wouldnt let the farmers suffer.
“I had repeatedly asked the Centre to transfer fundsallotted under the PM-Kisan scheme to the state government.
That was never done. They (central government officials)claimed that around 21.7 lakh farmers from Bengal hadregistered themselves on a portal to get the benefits of thescheme.
“They (Centre) have sought verification of this data.
I understood that the Centre was trying to politicise thematter. We also realised that farmers should not sufferbecause of this… I have asked the Centre to pass on the dataso that we can start the verification process,” she said.
Under the PM-Kisan scheme, an income support of Rs6,000 per year in three equal installments is provided tosmall and marginal farmer families.
The chief minister further added that she wants thatfarmers get all possible help, in addition to the assistancebeing doled out by her government.
“I want the farmers to get all benefits. We do haveour schemes, but if they get extra benefits… let them availit. I dont have any problem if they get the benefits.
However, if the Centre doesnt trust us with the verificationprocess, then it is up to them,” she added.
Banerjee had in the past opposed the implementation ofcentral schemes, saying that her government would allow PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat programmes in thestate, only if funds to the beneficiaries are routed throughthe state government.
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiyawelcomed the decision of Banerjee to allow farmers to avail PMKisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
“It is good that the state government has decided toallow it. This will benefit lakhs of farmers of Bengal. Andthe farmers would realize the kind of politics the TMC waspursuing by depriving them of its benefits,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)
