Madhya Pradesh farmers to get Rs.200 crore central aid
By IANSWednesday, February 2, 2011
BHOPAL - Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Suresh Pachouri broke his fast Wednesday after union Minister for State for Prime Minister Office (PMO) V. Narayanswamy reached Bhopal and announced a Rs.200 crore relief package for the state’s farmers.
The central government package also included Rs.224.6 crore in catastrophe fund for Madhya Pradesh.
Narayanswamy, accompanied by B.K. Hariprasad, Congress general secretary, arrived directly at the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee office, where Pachouri was on fast since Saturday along with his supporters, and announced the packages.
“Today (Wednesday), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had talked to state Congress president and was very sad over crop damage in Madhya Pradesh. Along with Finance Minister Pranabh Mukharjee and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar he approved immediate relief for the farmers,” said Narayanswamy.
Earlier Wednesday, the prime minister had called up Pachouri and assured him about providing relief to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh.
The Madhya Pradesh government’s Urban Development Minister Babulal Gaur had also met Pachouri and urged him to break his fast, but he had refused, saying the state government was not taking any steps to provide relief to the farmers.
Pachouri’s health had deteriorated and his blood and sugar level had fluctuated. Since Tuesday he was on saline drip.
