Union budget prioritizes corporates over farmers: Dr Kuldeep Tanwar

The recent central budget has been criticized for its lack of support for the poor, women, youth, laborers, and farmers, while favoring corporates and foreign corporations. The allocation for agriculture and allied sectors has dropped from 5.44% of the total budget in 2019 to 3.15% currently, with a 21.2% reduction compared to the 2022-23 figures. No measures were taken to ensure crop procurement at C2+50%, and there was no increase in the MGNREGA allocation.

Despite claims from the Finance Minister about prioritizing agriculture, the budget has shown zero priority for the welfare of farmers, laborers, and the poor. The inadequate allocation for MGNREGA will exacerbate rural distress and lead to increased migration, highlighting the insensitivity of the BJP-led government.

The Himachal Kisan Sabha expressed disappointment that the budget did not include a special package for the hilly state, despite agriculture being the primary occupation for its farmers. The following were among the expectations not met:

1. Increase in Import Duty on Apples: There was a call to raise the import duty on apples to 100% from the current 50% to protect local farmers.
2. Market Intervention Scheme (MIS): The central government’s provision of INR 1500 crore under MIS has been discontinued, affecting the minimum support price for fruits.
3. Maize Procurement: Approximately 7 lakh metric tons of maize are produced in the state, but there is no procurement at the minimum support price, nor any plans for setting up processing units.
4. Land Compensation: Small and marginal farmers, comprising 87% of the state’s farmers, are receiving only double compensation for land acquisition under the new law, while they demand four times compensation.
5. Vegetable Farmers: There is no minimum support price or plans for processing units or CA stores for vegetable farmers.
6. Wildlife Damage: There is no provision for compensation for crops destroyed by wild animals and stray cattle, nor any amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act.
7. Disaster Relief: No special disaster relief package was provided for the damage caused by heavy rainfall last year.

The All India Kisan Sabha and the United Farmers Front view this budget as a move towards privatization and benefiting corporate houses, further deepening the agricultural crisis. Despite the ongoing farmers’ movement, their demands were not addressed, and no provision was made for implementing the agreement with the United Farmers Front.

As a form of protest, all district, block, and ward units of the Himachal Kisan Sabha are burning copies of the budget today.