Row Over Paddy Incentives: Sitharaman Rejects Stalin’s Claim

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday dismissed allegations made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin regarding paddy cultivation incentives, calling them “factually baseless” and a “deliberate distortion.”

Pic Credit: Pexel 

Responding to the remarks, she clarified in a post on X that the Centre had not directed states to stop incentives for farmers. Instead, she said the suggestion was aimed at encouraging states to align their bonus and support policies with broader national agricultural priorities.

These priorities, she noted, include promoting crop diversification and strengthening self-sufficiency in key crops such as pulses, rather than continuing excessive focus on a single crop.

The exchange comes amid ongoing political debate over agricultural policy and Centre–State coordination in farmer support measures.