Agri sector facing crisis, claims BJP

Vijayawada, Feb 20 (UNI) The Agriculture Sector is facing a crisis and there is a great threat to the food security of the country, claimed former BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu today.

Addressing the valedictory of the two-day State Executive and Council meeting here, Mr Naidu blamed the Congress Government's policies for farmers changing profession ultimately affecting the agriculture sector with the cultivable land reducing every year.

Farmers who were not getting minimum support price for the produce and unable to bear the debts were committing suicide. During the BJP-led NDA Rule, the country was exporting foodgrains whereas under the UPA Government, India was going for imports.

If the government continued to neglect agriculture, the sector will be thrown into severe crisis, he said while demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Committee Recommendations.

Mr Naidu said the Congress Government failed to control prices of almost all the commodities, including pulses, cement, petrol and diesel. Also, no new employment opportunities were created.

Claiming that the BJP was not opposing the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Mr Naidu said the party only opposed the acquisition of agriculture lands for the purpose.

The Congress Government did not have a clear cut stand on ISI and LTTE activities and naxal violence, he claimed.

Hundreds of people were killed in terrorism and violence, he claimed while stressing on the need to re-introduce POTA.

He also blamed the Centre for delaying the hanging of Afzal Guru, the main accused in Parliament Attack Case.

Mr Naidu said if the be BJP is voted to power in the next elections, top priority would be given to agriculture sector and minimum support price paid for all crops. Besides, it will stop reservation on religious basis, control religious conversions and introduce common civil code.

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