Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari has fired off a strongly worded letter to PM Narendra Modi, demanding urgent action on the shocking vacancy crisis plaguing the state’s agriculture sector. Over 8,500 posts out of 14,500 approved positions sit unfilled, rendering the department virtually non-functional.
Labeling the situation a ‘joke’ on the state’s ambitious 2026 Agriculture Welfare Year plans, Patwari accused the government of indifference. Farmers, the backbone of MP’s economy, are left high and dry without adequate support staff to address their daily struggles—from seed distribution to subsidy claims.
The malaise extends beyond agriculture to related departments, painting a picture of widespread administrative paralysis. Patwari questioned the feasibility of government promises on farmer welfare when 60% of the workforce is missing.
In a pointed critique, he referenced Union Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s extensive past as MP CM. Nearly 20 years in power should have fortified the farm sector, yet it remains hollowed out, Patwari argued.
His demands are clear: an immediate audit of vacancies, orders for rapid recruitment, and a comprehensive national plan to enhance on-ground execution of agricultural programs. This intervention is crucial to revive farmer confidence and ensure schemes reach the last mile.
As rural distress mounts, Patwari’s missive underscores a deepening political rift. It challenges the BJP’s farm-friendly image in MP, where agriculture employs over 60% of the population, and sets the stage for heated debates in the assembly.