The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has strongly criticised the Union Budget 2026-27 presented by the central government on Sunday, labelling it as anti-farmer, deeply disappointing, and disconnected from ground realities. In a scathing assessment, the farmers' body expressed that millions of farmers across India had held high expectations for this budget, only to see their hopes dashed once again.
Budget Focus on Tech Ignored Farmer Issues, Says BKU
In a statement issued shortly after the budget presentation, Rakesh Kumar Bains, the media in charge of BKU (Charuni), highlighted that the government's budget speech heavily emphasised technology, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and futuristic plans. However, he argued that this focus came at the expense of addressing the immediate and pressing challenges faced by farmers, leaving their core concerns unaddressed.
Key Demands Overlooked in Budget 2026-27
The farm union pointed out that the budget remained conspicuously silent on several critical demands that are vital for the agricultural sector. These include:
- A legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, which farmers have been advocating for to ensure fair remuneration.
- Measures to tackle the continuously rising cost of farming, exacerbated by sharp increases in prices of essential inputs such as diesel, fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides.
- Comprehensive loan waivers for debt-burdened farmers, who are struggling under financial stress.
Inadequate Compensation and PM-Kisan Scheme Criticised
Additionally, the BKU (Charuni) criticised the absence of concrete steps to ensure adequate compensation for crop losses caused by natural disasters. The union also expressed disappointment over the government's failure to enhance the amount under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. According to the farm body, the annual assistance of Rs 6,000 provided under this scheme has become inadequate in the current economic conditions, effectively turning into what they termed a mockery of support. Despite repeated assurances from the government, no firm announcement was made in the budget to increase this amount.
Betrayal of Trust and Call for Action
The farmers' union further expressed deep disappointment over the government's continued silence on granting a legal guarantee for MSP, calling it a betrayal of farmers' trust. They alleged that while the budget provided relief to corporates and promoted policies on paper, it failed 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, stated the BKU (Charuni), emphasising the disconnect between policy rhetoric and practical needs.
Demands and Warning of Agitation
In response, the BKU (Charuni) has put forth a set of demands, urging the government to:
- Immediately provide a legal guarantee on MSP to protect farmers' incomes.
- Increase the PM-Kisan assistance to at least Rs 12,000 per year to better support livelihoods.
- Implement loan waivers along with affordable credit facilities to alleviate debt burdens.
- Reform the crop insurance scheme to make it simpler, transparent, and more farmer-friendly.
Warning of potential future action, the BKU (Charuni) stated that if the government continues to ignore these pressing issues, it will not hesitate to adopt agitational measures to safeguard farmers' interests and push for meaningful change.
