MP: Chouhan assures "maximum" help for hailstorm-hit farmers

Amid a walkout by the Opposition Congress in the state Assembly, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today assured that the government will provide as much aid as possible to the farmers hit by the recent rains and hailstorms.
Replying to a discussion on the issue, Chouhan said, "The government is committed to provide maximum assistance to the farmers in their hour of crisis."
Accusing the opposition of being "insensitive" to farmers, Chouhan said that even at the time of natural calamity, the Centre was discriminating against the state on the issue of special package for the affected farmers.

Leader of the Opposition Satydev Katare was politicising the issue, which caused him (Chouhan) pain, he said.
Assuring that government was with farmers, he said, "It will be a 'mission farmers' for us."
Chouhan noted that while the previous governments (of Congress) had given Rs 50 to Rs 200 per hectare compensation, his government was providing relief at the rate of Rs 15,000 per hectare.

He also said to protest against the Centre's apathetic attitude to farmers, BJP had given a call for Madhya Pradesh bandh, but in view of the examinations, there would be no road blockades.
Earlier, Katare demanded that loans and electricity dues of the affected farmers be waived. He also demanded CBI probe in the the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board scam.

But as the Government did not consent, the Congress members walked out of the House.