Swaraj to raise issue of damaged crops in MP with PM

Raisen (MP), Jan 12 (PTI) Senior BJP leader SushmaSwaraj today said severe coldwave conditions had badly damagedcrops in Madhya Pradesh and assured farmers she will take upthe issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also raisethe matter in Lok Sabha.

After inspecting the damaged crop at Jamunia villagenear here, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, along withformer Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar, told reporters thatcoldwave has severely damaged crops, especially of lentils(tuar and masoor), in the state.

She assured the affected farmers that she will raisethe issue in Lok Sabha as well as with the Prime Minister andChief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

They also admitted that farmers were not getting thebenefit of the crop insurance scheme.

Swaraj was touring her constituency, Vidisha, whereshe the coldwave-hit farmers.

Revenue Minister Karansingh Verma assured the farmersthat the survey of the damaged crops was underway and effortsare being made to provide compensation of Rs 7,500 a hectare.

To a question on a farmer in Verma''s constituency,Icchawar, allegedly trying to commit suicide due to cropfailure and mounting debt, he said it may be a fact that thesaid farmer is under debt, but his crop was not damaged due tocoldwave. The matter is under investigation, he added.