Khatakhat Schemes For Farmers In Haryana? BJP Announces Purchase of All 23 Crops At MSP, Waives Canal Irrigation Charges

After Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be relying on Khatakhat (freebie) schemes for the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana as well.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday (4 August) announced buying all 23 crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) designated by the Centre while launching the party's election campaign.

"I am happy to state that in the past 10 years, the state government purchased 14 crops at MSP. All crops in Haryana will now be bought at MSP by our government," the Haryana CM said.

Additionally, Rs 133 crore will be waived in outstanding canal water irrigation charges and the water cess for the future will be discontinued giving a relief of around Rs 54 crore annually to the farmers.

Saini also declared that within a week, the pending compensation of Rs 137 crore will be disbursed to farmers who experienced crop damage due to natural calamities in Rohtak, Nuh, Fatehabad, and Sirsa prior to 2023.

The announcements come at a time when the farmers in the northern states have been attacking the BJP for the last three to four years and the farmers' distress may electorally cost the party in Haryana.

The BJP is facing an anti-incumbency of 10 years in the state. The party tried to tackle it by changing the CM earlier this year. However, that might not be enough and hence populist initiatives are being taken.