DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday questioned the Haryana government's decision to appoint 17,000 'Kisan Mitras' to assist peasants in financial management and agricultural practices, and said the BJP dispensation should first become a friend of farmers. "What is the benefit of appointing a Kisan Mitra if the government itself has become anti-farmer? The government should reconsider its anti-farmer policies instead of coining new phrases," the former chief minister said. "All ministers, officers and government employees should first act like friends of farmers. But the government seems to have failed to do so and this is the reason why they are appointing Kisan Mitras. Looking at the intention and policy of the government, it seems that farmers will not get any benefit from this," Hooda said. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had on Wednesday announced the "Kisan Mitra Club" scheme would be implemented in the state under which 17,000 'Kisan Mitras' for 17 lakh farmers would be appointed. The 'Kisan Mitras' would be government officers, progressive farmers and volunteers and they would assist the farmers in better financial management and also adopting latest agriculture practices for increasing agricultural production. Hooda, who is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, said the farmers today need relief and encouragement from the government. (editor@dailyworld.in)