PATNA: Agriculture minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar on Monday came in defence of the state’s NDA government after senior opposition leaders Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD) and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP) slammed Nitish Kumar-led government for delaying harvesting of wheat crops in some districts of Patna and Gaya divisions by not taking any concrete decision on utilisation of around 640 skilled drivers of combined harvesters and their attendants, who have been invited from Punjab.These drivers and attendants were recently brought from Punjab amidst nationwide lockdown on the basis of special passes issued by the respective district administrations for expediting harvesting of wheat crops by use of combined harvesters, but they were put in quarantine at different places for 14 days on the plea that they have entered into Bihar from other states, and they might be carrying coronavirus.“Respectable @NitishKumar Ji, there is unique contradiction within the state government. Around 690 drivers of combined harvesters were brought from Punjab through permits during the corona lockdown. After bringing them into Bihar, they have been quarantined for 14 days. After that, they will be sent back (to Punjab). By that time, farmers and crops—both would have been ruined,” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said in tweet on Monday morning while tagging CM Nitish Kumar Hours after Tejashwi’s tweet, RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha too criticised the government for not taking a unilateral decision on using the services of harvester drivers and their attendants. “The driers and attendants were earlier invited by the farmers on the basis of permits issued by the respective district administration. But now they are not being allowed to harvest crops. Is is an injustice with the farmers,” Kushwaha told TOI on Monday.Kushwaha further urged the CM to conduct proper medical screening of harvester drivers and if they come out fit in the screening, they must be allowed to work in the interest of state farmers.Contacted over phone, agriculture minister Prem Kumar told TOI that the around 640 harvester drivers and their attendants have been put at different quarantine centres as per a decision taken by the crisis management group (CMG) headed by the state chief secretary Deepak Kumar , in the wake of Covid-19.“Though the quarantine of Punjab drivers has caused “a very little impact” in harvesting operation in certain districts of Patna division especially Rohtas, Kaimur and Bhojpur, the harvesting of Rabi crops in majority of 38 districts are going in full swing, through traditional method. Many districts in north Bihar has reported more than 70% harvesting of Rabi crops,” Prem Kumar told TOI.To a question regarding fate of Punjab drivers, Prem said, the CM Nitish Kumar has directed all district magistrates (DMs) to review situation in their area and ensure that farmers and farm labourers do not face any difficulties in harvesting of Rabi crops.