Bhopal, April 3 (NationPress) The President of Madhya Pradesh Congress, Jitu Patwari, has launched a fierce critique against the Mohan Yadav administration, accusing it of transforming the so-called "Year of Farmer Welfare" into a "Year of Farmer Exploitation".

During a press briefing, Patwari highlighted the numerous challenges farmers are currently facing across the state, including a fertilizer shortage, a gunny bag crisis, delayed wheat procurement, and broken promises regarding minimum support prices.

He claimed that, contrary to the government's assertions, farmers have been compelled to endure lengthy waits due to a significant lack of fertilizers.

Outlining the party's forthcoming actions, Jitu Patwari announced that Congress will stage protests at mandis statewide to advocate for the beleaguered farmers. In Bhopal, party members will engage in a one-day fast and hold a dharna outside the residence of the Agriculture Minister.

“Farmers, including women and the elderly, faced violence, and some even lost their lives due to the government's inaction,” he stated.

He further emphasized that a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) indicated that 50% of the funds earmarked for farmer support have gone unused, raising serious doubts about the government's commitment.

Patwari also condemned the government for an alarming shortage of gunny bags necessary for wheat procurement. He noted that while 100 million bags will be necessary for 2026, the state has only ordered 26 million, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 75 million bags.

He dismissed the government's rationale that the ongoing war is to blame for this shortage.

“According to the Jute Act, the state must present its needs and make advance payments to the Centre, which they failed to do in a timely manner. This issue isn't due to war, but rather the government's negligence,” he asserted.

He clarified that any shortages from the war would likely impact petroleum-based PP bags, not jute gunny bags, since India is the second-largest jute producer globally, following Bangladesh.

“This crisis has been orchestrated by the government,” Patwari declared.

He noted that the dates for wheat procurement have been postponed multiple times—from March 16 to April 1, and now to April 10—forcing farmers to sell their crops to traders at distressingly low prices.

Consequently, nearly 50% of farmers have defaulted on their crop loans. While the government extended the procurement deadline, which benefited traders, it did not extend the loan repayment deadline, further aggravating farmers' hardships.

Patwari accused the administration of failing to keep its electoral promises.

“The government had pledged Rs 2,700 per quintal for wheat, Rs 3,100 per quintal for paddy, and Rs 6,000 per quintal for soybeans, but none of these commitments have been fulfilled,” he stated.

In a pointed remark aimed at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Patwari said, “While farmers in Madhya Pradesh are suffering immensely, the Chief Minister is occupied with political speeches in Bengal.”