Kamal Ghorui
KURUKSHETRA: The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Charuni has strongly criticised the Union Budget 2026–27 presented by the Central Government on Sunday, terming it anti-farmer, disappointing and far removed from ground realities. The farmers’ body said millions of farmers across the country had high expectations from the budget, but once again those hopes were dashed.In a statement issued after the budget presentation, the BKU (Charuni) media in-charge Rakesh Kumar Bains said the government focused heavily on technology, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and futuristic plans in its budget speech, while completely ignoring the immediate and pressing issues faced by farmers.
The farm union pointed out that the budget remained silent on several key demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, the continuously rising cost of farming, sharp increases in prices of diesel, fertilisers, seeds and pesticides, and comprehensive loan waivers for debt-burdened farmers. It also criticised the absence of concrete measures for adequate compensation for crop losses caused by natural disasters and the failure to enhance the amount under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.According to the BKU (Charuni), the annual assistance of Rs 6,000 provided under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has become inadequate in the present economic conditions and has effectively turned into a “mockery” for farmers. Despite repeated assurances by the government, no firm announcement was made in the budget to increase this amount. Similarly, the farm union expressed strong disappointment over the government’s continued silence on granting a legal guarantee to MSP, calling it a betrayal of farmers’ trust.The farmers’ union alleged that while the budget provides relief to corporates and promotes policies on paper, it fails to address the concerns of farmers who toil in the fields. “Farmers do not need Apps or speeches; they need fair prices, security and dignity,” the statement said.The BKU (Charuni) has demanded that the government immediately provide a legal guarantee for MSP, increase the PM-Kisan assistance to at least Rs 12,000 per year, implement loan waivers along with affordable credit facilities for farmers, and reform the crop insurance scheme to make it simpler, transparent and farmer-friendly.Warning of future action, BKU Charuni said that if the government continues to ignore farmers’ issues, it will not hesitate to adopt agitational measures to protect farmers’ interests.
