Bhopal, February 4: Congress state president Jeetu Patwari has voiced serious concerns regarding the impact of the India-U.S. trade deal on farmers and youth, claiming they are among the most affected groups in the country.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Patwari highlighted a recent statement from the U.S. regarding the trade deal, which he described as alarming. Under this agreement, India will impose zero percent tariffs on agricultural products imported from the U.S., including dry fruits, fruits and vegetables, alcohol, spirits, industrial goods, chemicals, and medical equipment. Conversely, agricultural products exported from India to the U.S. will face taxes of up to 18 percent.
Patwari questioned the silence of India’s Agriculture Minister, who has previously served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, in light of the U.S. Agriculture Secretary’s open remarks. He wondered what pressures might be influencing this silence.
He reiterated concerns previously raised by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who warned that the trade deal would be entirely detrimental to India, suggesting that the government is succumbing to international pressures. This assertion, he claims, has been validated once again.
Patwari emphasized that the plight of farmers in the country is worsening. He noted that farmers are not receiving fair prices for their crops, nor is there adequate procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The BJP government had promised to make farming a profitable venture, yet India now leads the world in farmer suicides, a situation he finds deeply troubling. He warned that if cheaper agricultural products enter India from the U.S. with zero tariffs, it would devastate the income of Indian farmers. The Congress party is prepared to take to the streets and launch decisive movements against any threats to farmers.
Additionally, Patwari criticized Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for accumulating debt, stating that the current government has borrowed ₹1.78 lakh crore this fiscal year alone. With a recent loan of ₹5,200 crore, the state’s debt is increasing by approximately ₹213 crore daily. The Congress party demands that the BJP government release a white paper detailing the state’s economic situation and plans for reform.