Drought-hit MP’s MLAs plan to go abroad to study agri methods
BHOPAL: At a time when several Madhya Pradesh districts are staring at drought due to limited rainfall, state leaders plan to go on foreign trips to study the agricultural techniques adopted by other countries.
Barely four months after five farmers died in police firing during a protest in Mandsaur, state assembly speaker Sitasharan Sharma chaired a meeting of legislators from different parties to decide the modalities of the foreign tours.
As per initial discussion, about 25-30 MLAs can be part of a delegation, which would travel to different countries for eight to 10 days after the completion of MP assembly’s Winter Session in December.
The MLAs might visit up to three countries during their ‘study’ tour, which is likely to cost Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh per head. A part of the expenditure would be borne by the Indian Parliamentarian Group while the state government will cover the rest.
TIMING QUESTIONED
While some legislators have debated over which countries to visit, others like leader of Opposition Ajay Singh have questioned the timing of the proposed foreign jaunt. “Close to 50% of Madhya Pradesh is staring at drought. In such a scenario, the tour is illtimed”, Singh said.
According to former Madhya Pradesh agriculture director GS Kaushal, a foreign tour by legislators was likely to do little in improving the condition of the farmers.
“India’s atmosphere and conditions are quite different. We need to learn successful farmers’ techniques within the Indian context and replicate them. Also, when the Swaminathan Committee’s report lies unimplemented who is to say that any other report based on foreign visits will be implemented?”, he said.
However, BJP MLA Omprakash Saklecha defended the proposed tour and said it was an attempt by the state’s legislators to help the agrarian sector at a time of distress.
“Such a tour is undertaken every five years. It’s true that farmers are facing certain problems but it doesn’t mean that we sit idle and stop other practices which could benefit the farmers,” he said. Echoing Saklecha’s views, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Sheela Tyagi asked that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan continued to go abroad, then why should the MLAs not go on foreign tours if it’s in the interest of the state. State finance minister Jayant Malaiya tried to downplay the development and said. “There is no final decision yet. It depends on what the MLAs want.”