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| Farmers' hail Sonia, Manmohan for loan waiver | | Azad describes decision as historic | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Mar 5
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the loan waiver of Rs. 60,000 crore proposed in the union budget for farmers was a historic decision taken by the UPA government to address the plight of farmers in the country. He said horticulturists and farmers in Jammu & Kashmir would also take full benefit of the waiver.
Mr. Azad was addressing a congregation of the representatives of farmers in Jammu division organised here today to express gratitude to the UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for presenting an outstanding budget that took care of all sections of the society, especially the vast farming community. Union Minister for Water Resources and President, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, Prof. Saifuddin Soz moved a resolution to thank Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh which was seconded by the Chief Minister and adopted by the participants in one voice.
The Chief Minister said that for about a decade the condition of farmers was getting worse and in some southern states hundreds had committed suicide in the wake of poor economic condition. He said the UPA government rose to the challenge and decided to waive off Rs. 60,000 crore worth of loans taken by the farmers from banks and financial institutions for bettering their economic condition. He said the farmers would not have to wait for long to see the process of waiving of loans completed. The process, he said, would be over in three months period. He applauded the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram for presenting an exceptional budget and said they deserve the full credit for addressing the problems of the Aam Aadmi.
Describing farmers as the backbone of India's economy, the Chief Minister said the country's prosperity was linked with that of the farmers. He said they produce foodgrains for a population of 1.2 billion which was a stupendous task. He said the loan waiver by the central government and the revolutionary Roshni scheme launched by the State government were both aimed at increasing the productivity of the land. He said under the latter, as many as 21 lakh kanals of State land, under the occupation of farmers, was transferred to them free.
The Chief Minister said that there being small land holdings in J&K which were under tremendous pressure due to construction of development projects, the farmers should strive for double and triple crops. He said the twin agricultural universities in the State should come up with seeds and scientific backup to achieve this objective.
Earlier, felicitating the UPA government, especially Sonia and Manmohan, for presenting a budget that benefited the entire nation, Saifuddin Soz said there was no section of the society left out in terms of providing relief. He said Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, traders, farmers, government employees, women and children, everybody was benefited. He said the budget proposed 24% allocations for women and child development and 20% for education showing the importance the UPA government had accorded to these sectors. He said the growth rate of the country was 10% that had stunned the world. He said the budget was unprecedented and historic for which the UPA government deserved kudos.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma and senior Congress leader and former minister, Dharam Pal Sharma also addressed the congregation. Congress ministers, MPs and legislators were also present. |
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