Shimla: The  state Congress government's decision to remove anti-hail nets from the Chief Minister Agricultural Production Protection Scheme has drawn sharp criticism from BJP

BJP spokesperson Chetan Bragta lamented the detrimental impact of this decision on farmers, highlighting the crucial role anti-hail nets play in safeguarding crops, particularly apples, against hailstorms.

Speaking on behalf of the BJP, Bragta emphasized the significance of the scheme implemented during the former BJP government's tenure.

Under this initiative, farmers were provided with an 80% subsidy for installing anti-hail nets covering an area of 5000 square meters.

The allocation of Rs 10 crore for the financial year 2021-22 underscored the commitment to supporting small farmers, Bragta noted.

Bragta expressed dismay over the abrupt discontinuation of the scheme by the current Congress government, citing the removal of the online application portal from the Agriculture Department's website.

He highlighted the plight of thousands of farmers who had applied for the subsidy, now left in limbo due to the scheme's termination.

Condemning the Congress government's actions, Bragta accused them of betraying the trust of farmers and reneging on their promises. He called upon the Sukhwinder Sukhu-led government to reconsider its decision and resume the scheme, ensuring that pending applications are processed, and subsidies are reinstated to support farmers, he demanded.