New Delhi (TIP):  Opposition Congress on Wednesday, March 24,  urged the government to agree to the demands of farmers who are protesting against the agri laws and “send them home happy”, warning that “making fun” of them would prove very costly to it. Initiating the debate on the Finance Bill in Rajya Sabha, Congress member Deepinder Singh Hooda questioned the government over its promise of doubling the income of farmers by 2022, alleging that instead of increasing the minimum support price of crops, it was trying to snatch the MSP. Hooda also demanded that the government express condolences over the “death of over 300 farmers during their agitation” and announce an economic package for their families along with job opportunities. He also accused the government of following wrong economic policies leading to a decline in economic growth. He said it was the farmers who saved the country and kept the economy alive during the coronavirus pandemic. Hooda said that in 2015-16, the income of farmers was estimated at Rs 8,000 per month, and by 2022 it should be around Rs 16,000 per month, but it seems to be going down as input costs especially on diesel have risen substantially. “I urge the government to hear out farmers and show some compassion and sensitivity towards them and send them home happy after agreeing to their demands. The government should announce an economic package for families of those who died during the protests and provide them with employment opportunities. Send the farmers back home happy. “I urge you with folded hands not to make fun of farmers, as this would prove very costly to you. Please allow farmers to happily return home,” he said.Hooda said farmers are sitting in protest for over four months now and 300 farmers have died. “Farmers expected that you would fulfil the promise of doubling their incomes, but what has happened is that you have reduced the agriculture budget by 8.5 percent,” he said. “You promised to double farmers’ income. Instead of doubling MSP rates, you are trying to snatch it away from farmers. You have attacked the MSP itself and farmers are now fighting to save it,” he also said.