State govt blocking centre's farmer benefits: Def Min

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday accused HD Kumaraswamy led coalition government of blocking benefits of central government meant for farmers.

"The first instalment of Rs 2,000 of the cash transfer scheme of the central government meant for poor farmers was deposited directly to farmers accounts in many states in December 2018. However, a majority of farmers are yet to receive the first instalment in Karnataka, West Bengal and Kerala as these three states haven't yet completely shared details of the eligible farmers," she said at an informal interaction with a cross section of the society at Vidyaranyapur here.

The Minster added: "Of about 72 farmers in Karnataka, between 60-62 lakh farmers are eligible. However, only 2 lakh farmers have received the first instalment. Though the Congress leaders raise a hue and cry about farmers' welfare, why are they delaying the process to share details."

Despite consecutive droughts, the Karnataka government was blocking the benefit from reaching the farmers, she charged.

The UPA government had promised to waive Rs 6 lakh crore farm loan, but waived only Rs 52,000 crore, she said.

"The problem is Modi is on rapid speed, while certain state governments are extremely slow to develop the country, she added.

She said that in the last four-and-half-years, Modi government took one major decision every day.

Nirmala Sitharaman targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that some people didn't want to flourish and didn't want others to flourish.

On Rafale deal, she reiterated her earlier stand of procuring the flyaway fighter aircraft considering national security. AICC President Rahul Gandhi should have listened to lectures of his own party leaders who served as Defence Ministers regarding defence procedures before cooking up stories.

On OROP, she said: "Our government has disbursed Rs 52,000 crore and will disburse Rs 8,000 crore every year. We are committed to fulfil the demands of retired defence personnel.

On Pulwama terror attack, she said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already clarified that the sacrifice of CRPF Jawans wouldn't go waste. We are serious about the action."

She said that the central government checked the price rise in the last four years.

"Modi should be voted to power again. The BJP should get a solid majority. Dependency on alliance partners will hamper the development process. Millennials won't forgive us for the next 50 years if Modi isn't voted back to power," she said.

Nirmala Sitharaman answered questions of the audience on various issues.