This announcement is unlikely to soothe nerves of farmers, who have been agitating against apathy of Raje gove... Read More

(This story originally appeared in on Aug 11, 2018)

JAIPUR: Five days after the alleged suicide of a debt-ridden farmer in Nagaur, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje announced complete farm loan waiver for more than 12,000 farmers living in tribal districts of Southern Rajasthan.

This is aimed at making a dent in tribal votes – the traditional vote bank of Congress . This will help small and marginal tribal farmers to release their 15,000 acres of land, which have been pledged with cooperative banks against the loan.

The waiver will cost exchequer Rs 100 crore in addition to Rs 8000-crore farm loan waiver Raje had announced in state budget benefiting over 29 lakh farmers across the state.

This announcement is unlikely to soothe nerves of farmers, who have been agitating against apathy of Raje government for long. Farmers have been demanding higher MSP as per the Swami Nathan formula which factors in the cost of the land also besides fast implementation of loan waiver promise and procurement of agriculture produce at MSP.

“In 4 years more than100 farmers have committed suicides due to debt burden. Six farmers have killed themselves in last couple of months only due to drastic drop in garlic prices. A few days ago, a farmer in Nagaur committed suicide due to debt.

If government is so farmer-friendly then why are we forced to commit suicides?” asks Amra Ram, president All India Kisan Sabha .

Congress state chief Sachin Pilot , who had repaid the balance loan amount of deceased farmer on his visit to Nagaur from his party’s fund said that the announcement of loan waiver is mere gimmick.

“Government has only three months left. Such announcements are not going to be implemented. Even farmers know this. Government has completely ignored interest of farmers,” he said.

