Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru

Tumakuru, Jan 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on states which have not yet enrolled with Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana (PMKSY).

Speaking after distributing Rs 12,000 crore to six crore beneficiaries under the government scheme in one-go in Tumakuru, he urged the states to become a part of the scheme, atleast this year and not damage farming community with petty politics.

“The BJP government has understood farmers’ needs, requirements and implemented the schemes. The government has never seen agriculture in fragments but in totality. We have ensured that the money reaches the poor beneficiaries,” he said.

Taking a dig at the previous Karnataka government, he said that there was a time when only 15 paise of a rupee would reach the beneficiary while 85 paise was pocketed by middlemen. Today, whatever money is dispatched from Delhi, the entire amount directly reaches the bank account of the beneficiary, he said.

He also honoured selected farmers with Krishi Karman Award and distributed fishing equipment to the chosen ones on the occasion.

Former CMs take a jibe at PM

Congress and JD(S) launched an attack at the PM via twitter. "You did not visit Karnataka when it was devastated by floods, you did not visit Karnataka when our farmers cried for help, but all of a sudden, when you want to launch your political propaganda, you remember the innocent people of Karnataka. Wah Modi Wah!!" former CM Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Meanwhile, JD(S) state chief and former CM H D Kumaraswamy alleged that the Centre treats Karnataka with a step-motherly attitude. "What's the reason (behind poor economic situation)? The poor economic policies of the Centre. After swallowing the GDP and development of the country, the wrong policies have affected the state too," he alleged

"About 5.44 per cent of state's share is yet to come from the Centre. This is step-motherly attitude of the Centre towards the state," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

Farmers detained

A large number of farmers who wanted to stage a demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for non-implementation of the 'Swaminathan Report' were detained at Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Shivamogga, police said on Thursday.

The Swaminathan Report recommends a holistic national policy. The farmers under the leadership of Kodihalli Chandrashekar had planned to stage a demonstration at Tumakuru.

Before they could leave for Tumakuru, the police detained them.