BJP hopes to reap PM Kisan gains in UP

across India. UP has the highest share of beneficiaries, at 18 per cent or 21.4 million. The scheme will cost the exchequer ~75,000 crore annually.

“The farmers are happy and feel that with the PM Kisan, the central government has shown its commitment to agricultural issues and taken a longterm measure to support their income,” said Shahi.

Bharatiya Kisan Sangh leader Rakesh Tikait said though the PM Kisan did not compensate fully for the rising farm costs, it provided temporary relief to farmers.

On Thursday, SP chief and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that money being credited into farmers’ accounts was being forfeited in 24 hours, basing his allegations on media report and demanding a probe.

Shahi refuted the allegations. “The Opposition has no agenda. The farmers were suffering when they were in power,” he said.

Opposition leaders, however, continued to attack the government. SP leader Sudhir Panwar said the PM Kisan beneficiary count was inflated. India will continue to implement economic reforms irrespective of who wins the general election beginning next month, Krishnamurthy Subramanian, chief economic advisor said, seeking to reassure investors about policy continuity in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

As reforms in the past few years — from tax to inflation targeting — start to manifest, the economy’s potential growth rate will rise by 50 basis points to 7.5 per cent to 8 per cent, Subramanian said at an interview in New Delhi.