The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda has criticised the Union government for not formulating schemes for the comprehensive development of villages and strengthening the financial stability of farmers while planning 100 smart cities in the country.
Addressing a gathering of farmers as part of the culmination of the five-day padayatra by the former Chief Minister and JD(S) State president H.D. Kumarswamy here on Monday, he said though 70 per cent of the Indian population still lived in rural areas, the Centre had planned 100 smart cities and another 400 AMRUT cities on which it proposed to spend Rs. 44 lakh crore in the next five years.
Mr. Gowda reminded how his government at the Centre took a decision to ensure subsidy on fertilizer to the growers in only 14 days.
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Mr. Kumaraswamy demanded that the government release Rs. 4,000 crore to clear the dues of growers in 24 hours. He said the government was earning Rs. 4,500 crore as taxes from companies that manufactured byproducts of sugar.
He said that the farmers were pushed to helplessness owing to the attitude of the government. The party has asked the government to pay sugarcane dues, waive the interest on loans taken by grape growers and other crop loans, release of subsidy on drip irrigation scheme and expedite works on irrigation schemes by August 9.
‘Though 70 per cent of population still live in villages, Centre is planning to build smart and AMRUT cities’