Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers

Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers.

Modi was addressing a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal.

Prime minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution, according to news agency PTI.

Addressing a well-attended event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community, where his speech was welcomed with loud cheers, Modi said, "Now I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence...Killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us."

Calling yesterday's Budget a "historic step" for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence.

Modi said that his government took honest steps to improve the condition of farmers and the working class.&nbsp;

"We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore, small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle-class people," he said.

He also said villages were neglected for many, many years after Independence.

There was commotion at the rally ground which prompted him to cut short his speech barely after 14 minutes, according to PTI.

Before the rally, the prime minister visited the Matua Thakurbari and sought the blessings of Baro Ma, the current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harishchandra Thakur.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of orchestrating violence against BJP workers Claiming she had become jittery due to people's love for BJP, Modi accused his political rivals of misleading the distressed farming community through farm loan waivers. Modi was addressing a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal. Prime minister also made a strong pitch for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to accord Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled their countries due to religious persecution, according to news agency PTI. Addressing a well-attended event of the Scheduled Caste Matua community, where his speech was welcomed with loud cheers, Modi said, "Now I can understand why Didi (Banerjee) and her party are indulging in violence...Killing innocent people. She has become jittery because of your love for us." Calling yesterday's Budget a "historic step" for the welfare of farmers, the working and middle class, he said these sections were neglected for years after Independence. Modi said that his government took honest steps to improve the condition of farmers and the working class. "We have announced measures in our budget that will benefit 12 crore, small farmers, 30-40 crore workmen, and three crore middle-class people," he said. He also said villages were neglected for many, many years after Independence. There was commotion at the rally ground which prompted him to cut short his speech barely after 14 minutes, according to PTI. Before the rally, the prime minister visited the Matua Thakurbari and sought the blessings of Baro Ma, the current leader of the community and widow of the founder of Matua Mahasangh Harishchandra Thakur. (With inputs from PTI)

Modi roasts Mamata on her home turf, accuses TMC of orchestrating violence against BJP workers

Joining the debate on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-madhya-pradesh-and-chhattisgarh-congress-announces-farm-loan-waiver-in-rajasthan-185365">farm loan waivers</a>, government think-tank Niti Aayog Wednesday said such a move helps only a fraction of farmers and is no solution to mitigate agrarian distress.

Congress chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/loan-waiver-promise-tipped-scales-in-congress-favour-in-mp-183555">Rahul Gandhi</a> has been pressing the government on the issue, saying he will not let Prime Minister Narendra Modi sleep until a loan waiver is given to all farmers.

"Farm loan waiver is not a solution to farm sector distress. It is not a solution but is palliative," Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference after the release of its 'Strategy for New India @ 75' document.

Kumar, however, added that in states where there is genuine farm distress, some short-term measures have to be taken.

Niti Aayog Member and agriculture policy expert Ramesh Chand also said the biggest problem with loan waiver is that it will benefit only a small fraction of farmers.

"In poorer states, only 10-15 per cent of farmers are benefited from loan waiver as few number of farmers get institutional loans in such states. In many states, not even 25 per cent of farmers avail institutional credit," Chand pointed out.

He noted that when you have this kind of variations in states in terms of farmers' access to institutional credit, it is not worth spending so much money on farm loan waivers.

"Even CAG report says that farm loan waivers does not help. Loan waivers is no solution to address distress in farm sector," Chand said.

Citing a recent study, he pointed out that in some states, more than 3/4th of farm loans are taken for consumption purpose and not for agriculture.

Chand argued that the demand for loan waiver arises because income of farmers is not increasing at a reasonable rate.

"We are discussing much better solution to address farm distress. We want to increase income of farmers," the Niti Aayog member insisted.

Both Kumar and Chand said the Aayog has suggested to the Ministry of Agriculture to link allocations to states to reform measures undertaken by them in the farm sector.

Replying to a query on GST, Kumar said the average rate will gravitate towards 15 per cent with increased resources and widening of the tax base.

"As the GST net widens, all these will gravitate towards average 15 per cent. It would be good rate if you compare with the previous indirect tax rate which used to be around 30 per cent. It will give impetus to consumption and economic growth," Kumar said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday said the effort will be to ensure that 99 per cent of all items, including almost all items used by the common man, are kept at a GST slab of 18 per cent or less.

To a question on job creation, the Niti Aayog vice chairman said, "On the employment front, I am not sure crisis is appropriate word to use."

"We are concerned with the employment situation. In fact, I am one of those economists who has said our policy targets could well be in terms of employment maximisation and growth will come out of that," he added.

Kumar also noted that aspirational levels are much higher today among the youth than what it was earlier.

He also announced that data on job creation will be released very soon as the work is in advanced stage.

Noting that the government wants to look at regional inequality, Kumar said, "We are not following Washington Consensus."

He also said after the release of 'Strategy for New India @ 75', the Aayog will now start working on the 15-year vision document.

Asked to comment on a recent report prepared by 13 economists from India and abroad, including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agri-loan-waiver-should-not-form-part-of-poll-promises-rajan-184112">former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan</a>, Kumar said that the Aayog's strategy document is much more realistic and ground-based.

On status of the three-year action agenda which was released last year, he said," Three-year action agenda is very much part of the government's operating agenda."

Joining the debate on farm loan waivers, government think-tank Niti Aayog Wednesday said such a move helps only a fraction of farmers and is no solution to mitigate agrarian distress.

Joining the debate on farm loan waivers, government think-tank Niti Aayog Wednesday said such a move helps only a fraction of farmers and is no solution to mitigate agrarian distress. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has been pressing the government on the issue, saying he will not let Prime Minister Narendra Modi sleep until a loan waiver is given to all farmers. "Farm loan waiver is not a solution to farm sector distress. It is not a solution but is palliative," Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said at a press conference after the release of its 'Strategy for New India @ 75' document. Kumar, however, added that in states where there is genuine farm distress, some short-term measures have to be taken. Niti Aayog Member and agriculture policy expert Ramesh Chand also said the biggest problem with loan waiver is that it will benefit only a small fraction of farmers. "In poorer states, only 10-15 per cent of farmers are benefited from loan waiver as few number of farmers get institutional loans in such states. In many states, not even 25 per cent of farmers avail institutional credit," Chand pointed out. He noted that when you have this kind of variations in states in terms of farmers' access to institutional credit, it is not worth spending so much money on farm loan waivers. "Even CAG report says that farm loan waivers does not help. Loan waivers is no solution to address distress in farm sector," Chand said. Citing a recent study, he pointed out that in some states, more than 3/4th of farm loans are taken for consumption purpose and not for agriculture. Chand argued that the demand for loan waiver arises because income of farmers is not increasing at a reasonable rate. "We are discussing much better solution to address farm distress. We want to increase income of farmers," the Niti Aayog member insisted. Both Kumar and Chand said the Aayog has suggested to the Ministry of Agriculture to link allocations to states to reform measures undertaken by them in the farm sector. Replying to a query on GST, Kumar said the average rate will gravitate towards 15 per cent with increased resources and widening of the tax base. "As the GST net widens, all these will gravitate towards average 15 per cent. It would be good rate if you compare with the previous indirect tax rate which used to be around 30 per cent. It will give impetus to consumption and economic growth," Kumar said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday said the effort will be to ensure that 99 per cent of all items, including almost all items used by the common man, are kept at a GST slab of 18 per cent or less. To a question on job creation, the Niti Aayog vice chairman said, "On the employment front, I am not sure crisis is appropriate word to use." "We are concerned with the employment situation. In fact, I am one of those economists who has said our policy targets could well be in terms of employment maximisation and growth will come out of that," he added. Kumar also noted that aspirational levels are much higher today among the youth than what it was earlier. He also announced that data on job creation will be released very soon as the work is in advanced stage. Noting that the government wants to look at regional inequality, Kumar said, "We are not following Washington Consensus." He also said after the release of 'Strategy for New India @ 75', the Aayog will now start working on the 15-year vision document. Asked to comment on a recent report prepared by 13 economists from India and abroad, including former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Kumar said that the Aayog's strategy document is much more realistic and ground-based. On status of the three-year action agenda which was released last year, he said," Three-year action agenda is very much part of the government's operating agenda."

Loan waiver not a solution to farm distress: Niti Aayog

Kisan politics is back in India with a bang. Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced in Delhi that in case Prime Minister Narendra Modi fails to announce farm loan waiver for the farmers, the Congress would do so if it comes to power in 2019. He also said that Congress would mount pressure on BJP to announce farm loan waivers where they are required.

Rahul's claim came with a taunt that he would not allow the PM to sleep until this demand is met.

This statement comes in the wake of the announcement of farm loan waivers in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan which were wrested away from BJP by Congress in Assembly elections.

Such has been the renewed focus on farm loans that Assam government also announced a loan waiver on Tuesday, and Gujarat waived off rural power bill to the tune of Rs 650 crore on the same day. 
&nbsp; 
Kisan politics dominated Indian politics from Independence till the 1980s when caste-based reservation, economic reforms and Babri Masjid demolition overtook agrarian issues. 
 
Unfortunately, Kisan politics evolved into&nbsp;the caste-based idea of social justice.&nbsp;Traditionally, Kisan movements were led by the OBC leaders who by 1990s were either firmly entrenched in social justice politics or had become mascots of BJP’s Hindutva stance. The example, in this case, is Kalyan Singh.

Loan waivers make for good politics. In 2008, Congress announced a loan waiver and they swept back to power with 200+ seats in Lok Sabha. The state governments who have announced loan waiver post-2014 have all been returned to power in India.

However, the waivers do not benefit all borrowers equally&nbsp;and rich farmers benefit from borrowing more. Moreover, waiver impacts credit culture and makes access to more credit difficult for the farmers.

The loan waivers also put state finances on razor’s edge. The waiver increases fiscal deficit without addressing the core issue. But with Lok &nbsp;Sabha election around the corner, Congress has decided to focus on the agrarian sector. The problem of farm sector is real in India. It is unprofitable and more people are employed than needed. It is this labour which needs to be re-directed to industry from the farming sector for employment. Loans are a short-term relief and do not solve the basic problem of the farming sector.

Ironically, the politics of loan waiver also breaks consensus between BJP and Congress on economic issues which emerged post-1991 when late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao liberalised the economy. It was done under the aegis of Manmohan Singh who then functioned as country’s finance minister. Liberal economic policies continued till Vajpayee’s tenure but were strongly peppered with social schemes during UPA 1 and 2 when Sonia Gandhi’s writ ran large.

Now it has become farm politics versus industry. This binary can harm India tremendously. One result of such focus is that religious polarisation done by BJP today can only be matched by popular agrarian politics by the Opposition.&nbsp;

Under Rahul Gandhi, the strong left turn in politics and economy has become strong. He cannot be blamed for it. Indian politics over the years has become competitive and partisan. It lacks political consensus on crucial issues. But farm politics under Rahul Gandhi is back as the main agenda of the Congress.&nbsp;

Rahul's Bhatta Parsaul campaign in Uttar Pradesh in 2011 did not work but loan waiver&nbsp;as a political campaign has clicked. 
 
How much will it work for the Congress as a national issue is a tough question to answer but Kisan politics as political debate point is here to stay till 2019. And that is a long shift from an anti-corruption campaign which BJP capitalised during 2014.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kisan politics is back in India with a bang. Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced in Delhi that in case Prime Minister Narendra Modi fails to announce farm loan waiver for the farmers, the Congress would do so if it comes to power in 2019.

Kisan politics is back in India with a bang. Congress president Rahul Gandhi announced in Delhi that in case Prime Minister Narendra Modi fails to announce farm loan waiver for the farmers, the Congress would do so if it comes to power in 2019. He also said that Congress would mount pressure on BJP to announce farm loan waivers where they are required. Rahul's claim came with a taunt that he would not allow the PM to sleep until this demand is met. This statement comes in the wake of the announcement of farm loan waivers in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan which were wrested away from BJP by Congress in Assembly elections. Such has been the renewed focus on farm loans that Assam government also announced a loan waiver on Tuesday, and Gujarat waived off rural power bill to the tune of Rs 650 crore on the same day. Kisan politics dominated Indian politics from Independence till the 1980s when caste-based reservation, economic reforms and Babri Masjid demolition overtook agrarian issues. Unfortunately, Kisan politics evolved into the caste-based idea of social justice. Traditionally, Kisan movements were led by the OBC leaders who by 1990s were either firmly entrenched in social justice politics or had become mascots of BJP’s Hindutva stance. The example, in this case, is Kalyan Singh. Loan waivers make for good politics. In 2008, Congress announced a loan waiver and they swept back to power with 200+ seats in Lok Sabha. The state governments who have announced loan waiver post-2014 have all been returned to power in India. However, the waivers do not benefit all borrowers equally and rich farmers benefit from borrowing more. Moreover, waiver impacts credit culture and makes access to more credit difficult for the farmers. The loan waivers also put state finances on razor’s edge. The waiver increases fiscal deficit without addressing the core issue. But with Lok Sabha election around the corner, Congress has decided to focus on the agrarian sector. The problem of farm sector is real in India. It is unprofitable and more people are employed than needed. It is this labour which needs to be re-directed to industry from the farming sector for employment. Loans are a short-term relief and do not solve the basic problem of the farming sector. Ironically, the politics of loan waiver also breaks consensus between BJP and Congress on economic issues which emerged post-1991 when late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao liberalised the economy. It was done under the aegis of Manmohan Singh who then functioned as country’s finance minister. Liberal economic policies continued till Vajpayee’s tenure but were strongly peppered with social schemes during UPA 1 and 2 when Sonia Gandhi’s writ ran large. Now it has become farm politics versus industry. This binary can harm India tremendously. One result of such focus is that religious polarisation done by BJP today can only be matched by popular agrarian politics by the Opposition. Under Rahul Gandhi, the strong left turn in politics and economy has become strong. He cannot be blamed for it. Indian politics over the years has become competitive and partisan. It lacks political consensus on crucial issues. But farm politics under Rahul Gandhi is back as the main agenda of the Congress. Rahul's Bhatta Parsaul campaign in Uttar Pradesh in 2011 did not work but loan waiver as a political campaign has clicked. How much will it work for the Congress as a national issue is a tough question to answer but Kisan politics as political debate point is here to stay till 2019. And that is a long shift from an anti-corruption campaign which BJP capitalised during 2014. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Raining farm loan waivers: Kisan politics is back with bang

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to the media on Tuesday.&nbsp;

HIs government has just completed a 100 days&nbsp;in office.&nbsp;

Yogi said his government was working for all sections of society without discrimination.&nbsp;

He also said women in the state feel safer after the creation of his anti-Romeo squads.&nbsp;

But on Tuesday itself, two Hindu Yuva Vahini workers -- a youth group founded by the chief minister -- were arrested for allegedly molesting a girl and then, when she resisted, setting her on fire.&nbsp;

The girl later died in a Bareilly hospital.&nbsp;

At his press conference, Yogi said he was happy with the work his government had done in its first 100 days.&nbsp;

Watch video below:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses the media on 100 days of UP govt <a href="https://t.co/WAwZF20ZYF">https://t.co/WAwZF20ZYF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/879581735893127168">June 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Over the last 14 to 15 years, he said, UP had fallen behind on development and had instead got caught up in casteism.&nbsp;

He added that the recent loan waivers to farmers would not affect development work but had instead benefitted 86 lakh farmers. &nbsp;

But on the same day 2 Hindu Yuva Vahini workers are arrested for allegedly molesting a girl and setting her on fire

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to the media on Tuesday. HIs government has just completed a 100 days in office. Yogi said his government was working for all sections of society without discrimination. He also said women in the state feel safer after the creation of his anti-Romeo squads. But on Tuesday itself, two Hindu Yuva Vahini workers -- a youth group founded by the chief minister -- were arrested for allegedly molesting a girl and then, when she resisted, setting her on fire. The girl later died in a Bareilly hospital. At his press conference, Yogi said he was happy with the work his government had done in its first 100 days. Watch video below: #WATCH UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses the media on 100 days of UP govt https://t.co/WAwZF20ZYF — ANI (@ANI_news) June 27, 2017 × Over the last 14 to 15 years, he said, UP had fallen behind on development and had instead got caught up in casteism. He added that the recent loan waivers to farmers would not affect development work but had instead benefitted 86 lakh farmers.

100 days of Yogi sarkar:?CM says women feel safer after creation of anti-Romeo squads