BJP slams govt's economic policies

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday attacked the Congress-led government at the Centre for its economic policies, saying these had resulted in steep price rise and an agriculture crisis, which was a "betrayal" of the common man.

The party's national council also accepted suggestions to demand probe into what BJP leader Kirit Somaya alleged was the Centre's approval to 467 special economic zones over the past six months.

In a resolution titled "aam aadmi ke saath vishwasghat (betryal of the common man)", adopted by the council, the BJP accused the government of brutal assault on livelihood of the common man.

Also, it alleged that there has been a steady fall in farm share in the country's gross domestic product.

"The capacity of agriculture to generate remunerative income and employment is going down. This is alarming trend. It is a recipe for economic disaster," the resolution read.

It described as the most shocking manifestation of the agrarian crisis the high incidence of farmers' suicides in Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

The main opposition also accused the Centre of failure in containing prices as it came out with a chart showing the difference in prices of essential commodities during NDA and UPA rule.

The BJP, which vowed nationwide agitation over economic issues, demanded the government write off interest on loans granted to farmers suffering crop failure.

Also, it sought immediate convening of a chief ministers' conference to discuss recommendations of the national commission for farmers.

The BJP, which opposes acquisition of farmland for special economic zones, said the government should immediately accept recommendations of its committee SEZs.

Besides, it demanded allocation for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme be increase to Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) a year.

The scheme's coverage should also be widened to all districts, including urban, the BJP resolution said.