News Brief
SP Attacks BJP Over Urea Pricing, Mansukh Mandaviya Asks Akhilesh Yadav To Not Mock Scientists And Mislead Farmers
Nishtha Anushree
Jan 11, 2024, 04:24 PM | Updated 04:24 PM IST
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Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya targeted Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav for "mocking scientists and misleading farmers" over the latter's post accusing the BJP of exploiting farmers.
Yadav had posted on X on 7 January that urea's sack now has only 40 kg of fertiliser. He explains that earlier Rs 266.50 kg was price for 45 kg i.e. one kg urea would cost around Rs 5.92 but now farmers get 40 kg at the same price which means the cost is Rs 6.66 per kg.
Saying that farmers understand this mathematics that urea has become costlier by more than 12 per cent, Yadav added, "If this 'bori ki chori' (sack theft) continues in BJP regime then one day farmers will get empty sacks."
"In the upcoming elections, farmers will dig the fields of BJP's anti-farmer politics," former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister further said.
Responding to this, the Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mandaviya posted today (11 January) on X, "First of all, I want to make it clear to you that Neem coated urea was available at Rs 266.5 per 45 kg bag, is available now, and will continue to be available at the same rate."
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Jai Anushandhan' (hail research) slogan, Mandaviya said that a new sulphur-coated 'Gold Urea' has been created in the interest of farmers which is available in new quantity and at a new rate.
Calling out Yadav, he added, "Even during Covid, you raised questions on the vaccine made in the country, which the country and our scientists have not forgotten. Today again you have made fun of the same scientists."
Mandaviya urged Yadav to not mislead the farmers and to work together with the Union government in the interest of the farmers.
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Nishtha Anushree is Senior Sub-editor at Swarajya. She tweets at @nishthaanushree.
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