Cong, BJP engage in poll war over low wheat yield in Godda
GODDA: The decrease in wheat production has become the biggest poll issue in Godda Lok Sabha constituency.
It is the only place in the Santhal Parganas where farmers cultivate wheat. After the bifurcation in 2000, people’s representatives did not improve the condition of barrages, thus resulting in a sharp decrease in the production of wheat here.
“The production of wheat has decreased in the past one and a half decades. More than 50% of agricultural land is barren in Godda proper. Farmers belonging to Sundar Pahari, Poraiyahat and Boraijor blocks are not getting the facility of irrigation, as barrages in these areas are not functioning properly,” Pallav Kumar, a social activist, said.
THE PRODUCTION OF WHEAT HAS DECREASED IN THE PAST ONE AND A HALF DECADES. MORE THAN 50% OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IS BARREN IN GODDA PROPER
PALLAV KUMAR, a social activist
Congress leaders are raising the issue and blaming sitting BJP MP Nishikant Dubey during campaigns.
“All the important barrages like Triveni, Punasi, Ghora and Kauwa, which were the biggest sources of irrigation in Godda, have become defunct. Godda is the only place in Santhal Parganas where farmers used to cultivate wheat in good quantity,” Furkan Ansari, the Congress candidate from Godda, said.
However, BJP candidate Nishikant Dubey denied such allegations made by the Congress leader. “I have launched agitation against the apathetic attitude of the state government several times for demanding improvement in irrigation facilities. I also staged dharnas and a hungerstrike for the cause of farmers,” Dubey said.
He added that no representative before him had fulfilled the demands of the people of Godda as he did for them in the past five years. “A railway line from Pirpainti (Bihar) to Jasidih via Godda, opening of Punasi canal scheme for irrigation, airport in Deoghar and bringing Jindal power plant to Godda are some of my achievements, he added.”
Rival Ansari dismissed the tall claims made by the sitting BJP MP. He said he would campaign against Dubey for neglecting the farmers of Godda. “Dubey only promoted corporate houses and the mafia in his constituency,” he added.