New Delhi, March 24
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the government has launched several measures to strengthen the farm sector, claiming that farmers’ income has doubled under its tenure. Replying during Question Hour, Chouhan said agricultural production had risen and cited steps such as minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and continued fertiliser subsidies as key support measures for farmers.
The minister, who holds the agriculture and farmers’ welfare portfolio, said in some cases farmers’ earnings had increased three to four times.
His remarks came in response to Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, who said the government had failed to deliver on its promise of doubling farmers’ income.
“We will reward the efforts of farmers,” Chouhan told the House.
During the exchange, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav repeatedly raised supplementary questions, prompting Speaker Om Birla to intervene.
Birla urged members not to become overly agitated during Question Hour and asked MPs to keep their questions brief while requesting ministers to give concise replies.
In response to a separate question, Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal said the government had been working to strengthen the cooperative sector, adding that Rs 5 lakh crore had been disbursed over the past five years for its development.
