Congress slams NITI Aayog for closing down farm weather advisory offices

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused 199 district agrometeorological units of being closed. (Archive photo)

2 minutes of reading Last updated: August 3, 2024 | 1:04 PM IST

The Congress on Saturday alleged that 199 district agrometeorological units, which provided free weather advisory services to farmers at the block level, were closed as NITI Aayog “misrepresented” its role to justify the decision.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh shared a media report on X that claimed that farm weather advisory offices were closed in March this year because NITI Aayog had “misrepresented” their role and was demanding privatisation.

“The India Meteorological Department has closed 199 District Agrometeorological Units (DAMUs). These agrometeorological units have been providing free weather advisory services to all farmers at the block level along with crucial information on sowing, fertiliser application, harvesting and crop storage,” he said.

Experts suggest that while the budget outlay for these units is around Rs 450 crore every year, the benefits amount to around Rs 15,000 crore, Ramesh pointed out.

The closure was opposed by Chief Minister Nitin Gadkari and several key stakeholders, including the Gujarat Agrometeorologists’ Association, he claimed.

“RTI documents now reveal that it was NITI Aayog that suggested that agromet services in the district should be privatised and monetised. In fact, the Aayog misrepresented its role to justify the decision, arguing that the agromet units should be closed down as the data had been automated,” he said.

“This is not true – Agromet staff have adapted the central forecasts for local use and have adjusted the data for other warnings, such as those related to fertilizer use,” Ramesh said in his X post.

“The Aayog’s deception and lack of courage in standing up to the government when it is faced with bad decisions by the government illustrate its role over the last decade as a mere drumbeat and cheerleader for the unbiological prime minister,” Ramesh said, criticising the public policy think tank.

First published: August 3, 2024 | 1:01 PM IST