The Haryana Transport Department’s decision to increase tractor renewal fees by 10 times has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress, with state party president Rao Narender Singh accusing the BJP government of burdening farmers and disrupting the rural economy.

Reacting to the move, Rao Narender said the government was “creating new problems for the public by issuing new decrees every day.” He alleged that the BJP, which “has always been opposed to agriculture and farmers,” had once again taken an “anti-farmer decision by increasing the renewal fee on tractors by 10 times.”

He said, “Intoxicated with power, they are unaware that by further pressuring farmers, who are already under pressure, they are directly and indirectly causing significant damage not only to them but also to the agricultural economy.”

Highlighting the sector’s importance, the Congress leader noted that about 45% of India’s population depends on agriculture, which contributes 17-18% to the GDP. “The circumstances clearly demonstrate the significant contribution farmers make to the country’s economy,” he said. Agriculture, he added, was already facing rising input costs, seasonal challenges and market uncertainties, and the steep fee hike was “against farmers’ interests.”

Rao Narender stressed that tractors, farm machinery, and rural transportation are crucial to productivity. “Such a substantial increase in fees would impose an additional financial burden on farmers,” he said, warning that higher production costs could lead to rising prices of grains, vegetables and fruits — ultimately impacting consumers and fuelling inflation. “This could slow the rural economy,” he added.

“The government should strengthen the backbone of farmers, not create new financial barriers,” he said, urging the state to withdraw the fee hike, undertake consultations, and frame a “practical, compassionate policy in the interest of farmers.”

He warned that if the government does not roll back the decision, “Congress will launch a movement against this anti-farmer decree.”