PM Modi to address kisan rally in Belagavi on Feb 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address a farmers' rally here on February 27 as part of efforts to create awareness about his government's pro-farmer initiatives, including new crop insurance scheme.

Modi would enlighten farmers about the features of 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' at the rally, BJP leader Prahalada Joshi, MP, told reporters here today.

The rally is the third in the series of 'Kisan Sammelans' planned country-wide, he said. The other two would be held in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had started the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme, but the UPA government brought "unfriendly" amendments to it, pushing farmers into distress, Joshi said.

Under the new scheme, 50 lakh farmers would be benefited in the first phase, he said.

On Congress' attack on the NDA government for "inaction" over Kalasa-Banduri water scheme, Joshi said it was misleading the farmers.

He blamed the then Congress government in Goa for making it an issue by contesting the Kalasa-Baduri scheme in the Supreme Court.

BJP has made all efforts to solve the issue by approaching the Prime Minister, Joshi said, adding the Centre cannot take the lead when the issue was before the tribunal.

Commenting on JNU students' protest, Joshi said the Congress is joining hands with "anti-nationals" which was reflected in Rahul Gandhi's statements made on the campus.