UP government responsible for deaths of farmers: BJP National Secretary

MATHURA: BJP today said the Uttar Pradesh government was responsible for the death of the rain-hit farmers in the state and demanded that the farmers be provided with an increased compensation.

"Since the Narendra Modi Government has increased the calamity relief fund from Rs 34,000 crore to Rs 66,000 crore, the farmers should be paid compensation at Rs 27,000 per hectare," said BJP National Secretary Srikant Sharma said.

He was addressing the Maha Panchayat of farmers today, organized in half a dozen villages falling under Baldeo Vidhan Sabha constituency.

On Kashmiri separatist leader Masrat Alam, Sharma said he is in jail and be punishment. "BJP is committed to dealing sternly with separatists," he said.

He also said the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits is an issue of priority for the Modi government.