By Bizodisha Bureau, Bargarh, February 21, 2016: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said there was an attempt to malign his image and destabilise his government as he went against the fertiliser lobby by asking the urea producers for neem coating of the commodity.
“Previously, urea was not sufficiently available for farmers not because it was in great demand but due to its black marketing for industrial use. When my government enforced neem coating of urea, it was adequately available. However, for my government’s bold decision, I was targeted by a section of non-governmental organizations. These organisations who received foreign fund left no stone unturned to go against me and my government. But I am not a person to be cowed down… I did what I felt right,” he said.

The Prime Minister outlined the steps taken by his government to bring more and more farmers under the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana.

The PM said his government was committed to ensure doubling of the income of farmers by 2022 when India will celebrate 75 years of its Independence.

Although this was the first political meeting of Mr Modi in Odisha after he became Prime Minister, he chose not to speak a word against the party’s key rival the ruling BJD and its leader chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Nor did he announce any package or special incentives for the farmers of Odisha.

At least two hundred farmers in Odisha have committed suicide in the last Kharif season.

“We expected the PM to announce special package for us. But nothing sort was announced. He had promised us Rs 2500 per quintal of paddy. However, we are selling it at Rs 1200 per quintal,” said Kailash Naag, a farmer from Barpali area.
Commenting on Prime Minister’s silence on the numerous scams and scandals that took place during the present Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha, Congress spokesperson Sarat Rout said the BJD and BJP were in good understanding and they were indulging in shadow boxing only to escape public scrutiny.

Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram, Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh. Union petroleum’s and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP state president Basanta Panda also addressed the meeting.