Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government and cautioned farmers to identify people who come with the agenda of selling off their land for development.

“The current corporate friendly BJP government at the Centre is not giving employment instead snatching away jobs. We are seeing how youths are on road protesting against the Agnipath recruitment process across the country. But this is not having any effect on the Centre. They are keen on privatising and selling off airports, railway stations and big PSUs. We are waiting for that day when they might sell off the country even. What will the farmers do when even their lands are sold in garb of development, be cautious of such conspirators,” said Soren while addressing a function held to distribute Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans to farmers of Palamau division in Latehar district on Thursday evening.

Soren said their government priority is welfare of farmers and saving land of villagers. “In the last five months around 1.25 lakh farmers have got Rs 1,313 crore loans through KCC in the state. On Thursday, over 10 lakh farmers will be linked with KCC loans at each block of the state. We will organise such programmes in camp mode and aim at doubling the income of farmers. The government wants to protect the land of farmers,” said Soren.

He also appealed to the farmers to take benefits of government schemes and increase their income and contribute to the development of the state.

“Farmers are food growers and they need to be respected and with their contribution only can the state be taken on path of development and our government will provide all facilities to the farmers to move ahead with dignity,” said Soren.

The chief minister admitted that the mainstay of the rural economy is around agriculture and animal husbandry. “Unless the farmers are strong, our village, block, district and state will not be strong. In such a situation, our special priority is towards agriculture and animal husbandry and many schemes are being run to make farmers financially empowered,” said Soren.

He regretted that prices of food grains are increased but the farmers who produce them are not benefitted.

“We saw how the black farm laws were brought by the central government and the resilient struggle by the farmers against this move finally led to Centre bowing to farmers demand,” Soren reminded the farmers .

He also mentioned that in the last two decades in Jharkhand only Rs 400 crore loan were sanctioned but in two and half year of governance they have approved loan waiver of Rs 900 crore for farmers.