Dr. Shailesh Kumar Giri, National Chief Spokesperson and Bihar-Jharkhand State In-Charge of the Bharatiya Haldhar Kisan Union (BHKU), has voiced strong concerns over the shortcomings in the government's vision of a 'Self-Reliant India.' He asserts that the five key pillars of this initiative—Economy, Infrastructure, System, Demography, and Demand—lack the most fundamental pillar: Agriculture. Without strengthening the foundation of the country’s agrarian economy, achieving self-reliance is impossible.

Dr. Giri emphasized the importance of a healthy body for a healthy mind, drawing attention to the direct link between food security and a nation’s overall development. He criticized the government’s negligence towards the agricultural sector, stating that while various commissions exist for different sectors, there is no dedicated "Farmers’ Commission" in a country where over 75% of the population is engaged in agriculture.

Key Demands and Observations:

1. Farmers' Pension Scheme: Farmers, who work tirelessly under extreme weather conditions without overtime pay, deserve social security. Dr. Giri demands a minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month for farmers above the age of 60.
2. Samriddh Kisan Yojana: Under this initiative, the BHKU proposes 90% subsidy on educational loans for farmers’ children pursuing higher education and 70% loan waivers for those who took loans in the last two decades.
3. Crop Insurance Scam: A significant financial mismanagement in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been uncovered in Sahibganj, Jharkhand. Reports suggest that from 2018 to 2023, crores of rupees have been misappropriated. Dr. Giri is calling for a high-level independent investigation into the matter.
4. Legal Action: The BHKU has appointed Advocate Omprakash Prasad as its Legal Advisor for Jharkhand High Court to pursue legal action against the alleged corruption in PMFBY.
5. Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Dr. Giri is in the process of filing a PIL in Ranchi High Court to expose the large-scale corruption in crop insurance schemes and secure justice for farmers.

Call for Government Action

Dr. Giri urges the government to acknowledge the plight of farmers and take immediate steps to:

• Establish a Farmers' Commission for policy reforms.
• Provide fair compensation and security for farmers.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in government schemes related to agriculture.
• Conduct a comprehensive audit of PMFBY in Jharkhand and across India.

He strongly believes that no country can achieve self-reliance without prioritizing agriculture, and ignoring farmers' rights will only hinder India’s progress.