Modi criticises Congress for 'anti-farmers policy

Anand, Gujarat, Apr 29 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today criticised the Congress for its 'anti-farmer' and 'anti-Gujarat' policies, saying these are posing hurdles in the Sardar Sarovar Project.

Inaugurating the month-long Krushi Mahotsav-2006, Mr Modi said the state Congress' opposition to the Mahotsav was aimed at depriving the farmers to take the benefits of the advancement of the farm-technology all over the world.

Referring to the local Congress leaders' opposition to the entry of the Krushi Raths in the Anand district, he said they should express their anger at the conditions of farmers in Congress ruled states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka where they are committing suicide because of their poor economical conditions.

Not sparing the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar, Mr Modi asked why she was not raising her voice for the woes of poor people of Kutch and Saurashtra regions who are also getting displaced (migrating) because of non-availability of Narmada-waters.

He alleged that Ms Patkar has 'selective sensitivity' for the woes of poor and her intention is different than what she is posing before the world.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Krushi Exhibition here with 35 stalls, which are exhibiting lifestyle of rural people and their creativities and productivities.

The Chief Minister said his Government is aiming to create a Second Green Revolution through the Krushi Mahotsav-2006. The objective of the Mahotsav is to build strong rural economy through adoption of value-based farming using modern farming techniques by the farmers.

''Total 227 rpt 227 Krushi Raths would tour over 18,000 villages of Gujarat to impart scientific knowledge of farming to the farmers to raise their earnings and living standards, he said and added that these Raths would continue touring till May 29.

The Krushi Raths, manned by agriculture scientists and agriculturists, who in co-ordination with four agriculture universities of the state, would guide the farmers to grow best quality crops, Mr Modi added.

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