The Congress on Friday alleged that the Narendra Modi government was displaying political dishonesty by engaging with the protesting farmers while simultaneously working on a strategy to tire them out.

Lamenting that the death of 44 farmers had failed to move the government, the Congress said the Centre was so committed to help the corporate sector that it had decided not to withdraw the “black laws”, come what may.

Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claims of welfare measures were a farce as farmers had got a raw deal during his rule.

Surjewala said: “The Prime Minister said Rs 6,000 would be given to every farmer in a year. According to the agriculture census of 2015-16, there are 14.64 crore farmers in India but only 9.24 crore have been selected as beneficiaries of the scheme. He is publicising the sanction of the next installment under this scheme without revealing that input cost has gone up by Rs 15,000 per hectare over the last six years, which means collection of additional Rs 2.36 lakh crore from the farmers every year.”

The Congress spokesperson gave a break-up: “Diesel price is up by Rs 25, 5 per cent GST on fertiliser for the first time in history, 18 per cent GST on pesticides, 12 per cent on tractor and other agricultural equipment. The price of DAP fertiliser increased from Rs 1,075 per bag to Rs 1,450, urea bag quantity reduced by 5kg at the same price, potash fertiliser price up by Rs 500 and super fertiliser up by Rs 90 per bag. This works out to a total additional collection of Rs 2.36 lakh crore for the government.”