Sharad Yadav attacks Modi government over handling drought situation

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government is more serious about shouting of some slogans than the fate of poor farmers, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said today as he welcomed the Supreme Court's critical observation against the Centre over non-release of MNREGA funds.

"Government is not serious about poor farmers and other sensitive issues to make the lives of common man comfortable as it is more concerned and busy in engaging people for shouting certain slogans.

"Instead of keeping engaged in non-issues like whether Bharat Mata ki Jai slogan is to be raised or not, it should concentrate on key issues facing the country like drought, safety and security of the people," he said in a statement.

He accused the government of not coming out with any plan of assistance to nine drought hit states, saying it shows its "non-seriousness".

Out of 640 districts, there is shortfall of rain in 340 districts due to which kharif crops have been damaged to a large extent, Yadav said.

Noting a "continuous increase" in farmers suicide, he said had the government been serious to address the issue it should have announced significant increases in MSP and lowered input prices by increasing subsidies, electricity and water and raised expenditure on agriculture.

BJP before coming to power had promised to provide MSP that would ensure 50 per cent profit over the cost of production but the government has not fulfilled it, he claimed.