UP Election 2022: Akhilesh Promises to Set up Vodka Plants to Prevent Wastage of Potatoes

Akhilesh Yadav, national president of the Samajwadi Party, has stated that his party's administration will provide subsidies for the establishment of potato processing enterprises, as well as the construction of a vodka plant. 

Akhilesh stated at a rally in Agra on Sunday that if the SP wins, the government will take steps to prevent the loss of potatoes cultivated by the region's farmers. He said that the region was famous for its potato crop, but that the harvest was squandered owing to a lack of government support. 

"I've learned that the (market) share of vodka has increased in the previous five years since the BJP came to power. I want to assure you that we will provide a subsidy of Rs.100-200 crore for setting up industries to process potatoes in the region and make chips and snacks. If needed, we will even set up a plant to manufacture vodka to prevent the wastage of potatoes grown by the farmers of this region," he said. 

"Can you tell me if vodka can be created from potatoes or not?" he asked, pointing towards a Samajwadi Party leader on stage. 

Talking about the wastage of potato crops, he stated that as a form of protest, Samajwadis dumped their potato harvest outside the Chief Minister's residence in Lucknow. 

"The government promised to buy potatoes from farmers, but they didn't do so," the SP chief claimed. 

Notably, when Akhilesh was the CM in 2015, he declared plans to establish at least one vodka brewing factory in each of Kannauj and Farrukhabad districts to guarantee farmers receive fair prices. 

Other Election Promises: 

In another encouraging comment, Yadav stated that if elected, his government will lower the age limit for state police recruitment to make it easier for those who turned overage during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, many youngsters were overage for recruitment into the Army and police." We shall make a particular plea to the Army to enlist Uttar Pradesh youngsters for national service.  If needed, we will also relax the age limit in police recruitment,” he said.