The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to give the Centre a month’s time to implement the interest waiver decision on loans of up to Rs 2 crore.&nbsp;

The government had argued that it needed the time for this process, but the Apex court set a fresh deadline of November 2.

“We will expect the implementation of government's decision on interest waiver by then. We will review the implementation of the waiver," the court said adjourning the case.

The Centre in its affidavit, dated 2 October, had submitted its decision to bear the cost of the ‘interest on interest’ for MSME loans and personal loans up to Rs 2 crores.

"Have you (Centre) done anything? Not fair on the Centre's part to take a month to implement the decision," the bench said, to which Mehta responded by saying that it will take some time to implement the decision and sought one month's time for the same.

"Please, see the plight of common people, when you have already decided to help. Diwali is now in your hands. Common man's Diwali is in government's hand," the bench observed while denying the request and asked the Centre to bring something concrete.

The matter was slated to come up for further hearing before the bench on November 2.

One of the petitioners in the case, lawyer Vishal Tiwari submitted before the apex court that the banks are acting on their own discretion and added that they do not care for any orders or instructions and that there should be some interim orders.

Tiwari said he has filed written submissions in the matter and said the court should consider that, along with the consolidated affidavit filed by the Reserve Bank of India on October 9.

The RBI had submitted that extending the loan moratorium, which was announced to cope with the economic fallout of COVID-19, by another six months can impact the credit behaviour of borrowers and increase the risks of delinquencies post resumption of scheduled payments.

The top court was hearing two petitions -- Gajender Sharma and Vishal Tiwari -- seeking an extension of the moratorium period on repayment of loans and to waive off the interest on the repayment of the loan amount keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to give the Centre a month’s time to implement the interest waiver decision on loans of up to Rs 2 crore. The government had argued that it needed the time for this process, but the Apex court set a fresh deadline of November 2.

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday refused to give the Centre a month’s time to implement the interest waiver decision on loans of up to Rs 2 crore. The government had argued that it needed the time for this process, but the Apex court set a fresh deadline of November 2. “We will expect the implementation of government's decision on interest waiver by then. We will review the implementation of the waiver," the court said adjourning the case. The Centre in its affidavit, dated 2 October, had submitted its decision to bear the cost of the ‘interest on interest’ for MSME loans and personal loans up to Rs 2 crores. "Have you (Centre) done anything? Not fair on the Centre's part to take a month to implement the decision," the bench said, to which Mehta responded by saying that it will take some time to implement the decision and sought one month's time for the same. "Please, see the plight of common people, when you have already decided to help. Diwali is now in your hands. Common man's Diwali is in government's hand," the bench observed while denying the request and asked the Centre to bring something concrete. The matter was slated to come up for further hearing before the bench on November 2. One of the petitioners in the case, lawyer Vishal Tiwari submitted before the apex court that the banks are acting on their own discretion and added that they do not care for any orders or instructions and that there should be some interim orders. Tiwari said he has filed written submissions in the matter and said the court should consider that, along with the consolidated affidavit filed by the Reserve Bank of India on October 9. The RBI had submitted that extending the loan moratorium, which was announced to cope with the economic fallout of COVID-19, by another six months can impact the credit behaviour of borrowers and increase the risks of delinquencies post resumption of scheduled payments. The top court was hearing two petitions -- Gajender Sharma and Vishal Tiwari -- seeking an extension of the moratorium period on repayment of loans and to waive off the interest on the repayment of the loan amount keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

Diwali for common man in hands of govt this year: Supreme Court on loan relief

Bollywood actor Nana Patekar on Thursday said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-pradesh-farmers-seek-state-bjp-chiefs-support-to-oppose-3-capitals-plan-of-jagan-government-270016">farmers </a>were not beggars and they need emotional support along with financial support to resolve the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-pradesh-farmers-protest-against-gn-rao-committee-report-runs-into-day-3-269542">issue of farmers</a>' suicide in Maharashtra.

"It is ok if political leaders do not give money to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-farmers-protests-in-a-unique-way-264942">farmers</a>. They do not only need loan waivers, but they also need emotional support and encouragement. We need to talk to them. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-cabinet-meeting-thackeray-announces-rs-20-crore-for-raigads-development-265144">Farmers </a>are not beggars," he said while addressing a public event in Chinchwad city of Maharashtra.

<img alt="Farmers in India" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0829fd21-cd57-4b0f-91d2-a92fdaccd0a5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2877%29_2.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Farmers in India (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmers-wont-be-eligible-for-waiver-scheme-if-loan-exceeds-rs-2-lakh-maharashtra-government-270778">Farmers won't be eligible for waiver scheme if loan exceeds Rs 2 lakh: Maharashtra government</a>

He also stressed up-on fixing the prices of the vegetables and urged people not to bargain with the vegetable vendors.

"Everything here has a fixed price but on our tomato and potato, there is no price label. Your fees are fixed, the prices of the cars are fixed...I request you all not to bargain with the vegetable vendors on the streets. We must all think about the problems farmers are facing..."

Bollywood actor Nana Patekar on Thursday said that farmers were not beggars and they need emotional support along with financial support to resolve the issue of farmers' suicide in Maharashtra.

Bollywood actor Nana Patekar on Thursday said that farmers were not beggars and they need emotional support along with financial support to resolve the issue of farmers' suicide in Maharashtra. "It is ok if political leaders do not give money to farmers. They do not only need loan waivers, but they also need emotional support and encouragement. We need to talk to them. Farmers are not beggars," he said while addressing a public event in Chinchwad city of Maharashtra. [ Farmers in India (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Farmers won't be eligible for waiver scheme if loan exceeds Rs 2 lakh: Maharashtra government He also stressed up-on fixing the prices of the vegetables and urged people not to bargain with the vegetable vendors. "Everything here has a fixed price but on our tomato and potato, there is no price label. Your fees are fixed, the prices of the cars are fixed...I request you all not to bargain with the vegetable vendors on the streets. We must all think about the problems farmers are facing..."

Farmers are not beggars, don't need just loan waivers: Nana Patekar

Maharashtra government, in a resolution on Saturday, said that those farmers whose loan amount exceed Rs 2 lakh will not be eligible for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-chief-minister-uddhav-thackeray-announces-rs-2-lakh-loan-waiver-for-poor-farmers-269479">loan waiver scheme</a>.&nbsp;

Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that the loans of farmers up to rupees 2 lakh will be waived off and that the money will be deposited in the banks directly.&nbsp;

Thackeray added that the 'Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Loan Waiver Scheme' will be implemented from March 2020.

"Under Mahatama Jyotirao Phule Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, farmers whose crop loan and restructured loan is more than Rs two lakh will not be eligible for any benefit," the government said in its resolution today.

It added, "Loans up to Rs two lakh taken between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2019, and which has not been repaid till September 30, 2019, will be given the benefit of the scheme."&nbsp;

The Opposition had staged a walkout from the state assembly last week with leader Devendra Fadnavis demanding a 100 per cent debt waiver for the farmers.

In their Common Minimum Programme, the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP coalition government had promised a complete loan waiver to Maharashtra farmers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Maharashtra government, in a resolution on Saturday, said that those farmers whose loan amount exceed Rs 2 lakh will not be eligible for the loan waiver scheme. Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that the loans of farmers up to rupees 2 lakh will be waived off and that the money will be deposited in the banks directly.

Maharashtra government, in a resolution on Saturday, said that those farmers whose loan amount exceed Rs 2 lakh will not be eligible for the loan waiver scheme. Last week, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that the loans of farmers up to rupees 2 lakh will be waived off and that the money will be deposited in the banks directly. Thackeray added that the 'Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Loan Waiver Scheme' will be implemented from March 2020. "Under Mahatama Jyotirao Phule Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, farmers whose crop loan and restructured loan is more than Rs two lakh will not be eligible for any benefit," the government said in its resolution today. It added, "Loans up to Rs two lakh taken between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2019, and which has not been repaid till September 30, 2019, will be given the benefit of the scheme." The Opposition had staged a walkout from the state assembly last week with leader Devendra Fadnavis demanding a 100 per cent debt waiver for the farmers. In their Common Minimum Programme, the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP coalition government had promised a complete loan waiver to Maharashtra farmers. (With inputs from ANI)

Farmers won't be eligible for waiver scheme if loan exceeds Rs 2 lakh: Maharashtra government

BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed Congress for promising loan waivers to farmers of Haryana in the party`s manifesto after it had failed to implement it in Madhya Pradesh and two other states.

"It is the height of shamelessness. Rahul Gandhiji had himself said that Congress will waive off all loans of farmers under 10 days otherwise we will change the chief minister, 10 months have passed, but the loans have not been waived off here. And they are promising the same in Haryana this time, there is a limit even for lies," Chouhan told ANI here.

Further accusing the Kamal Nath government of failing to help the farmers he said, "The farmers are in anguish, many people became defaulters and many of those are now committing suicide. There is a limit even on speaking lies, how much more can the Congress deceive the people."

Urging Congress to apologise to the farmers whom they had troubled through their hollow promises made in the past, Chouhan said, "Congress has become a thug party now. They should apologize for not waiving off farm loans in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and they should stop making such promises in the future, the people are not going to be deceived by them anymore."

Earlier today, Chief Minister Kamal Nath had said his party colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia was correct in claiming that farm loan of only up to Rs 50,000 has been waived off so far but he promised that his government will waive off farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh in due course of time.

"He (Scindia) is right. We had said we will waive off Rs 50,000 farm loan in the first instalment. Next, we will waive off up to Rs 2 lakh. I agree that to have promised Rs 2 lakh farm loan waiver. I believe the public trust their leader," Chief Minister Nath told reporters here.

The Chief Minister, however, said that suggestions for improvement are welcome, but one should first know the facts and truths, which are in front of the people.

"The farm loans have not been waived off in totality. Loan of only Rs 50,000 has been waived off even when we had promised that loan up to Rs 2 Lakh will be waived," Scindia had said earlier.

"The loans should be waived off completely," he had added.

Reacting to both Scindia and Digvijaya Singh`s statements, who had pointed towards cattle being on the loose in the roads of the state, Chouhan said that it seemed like an attempt to put pressure on the Chief Minister.

"Both Digvijaya and Scindiaji can meet the chief minister anytime and give him suggestions. This tweeting and commenting is a way to pressurise him so that he will be forced to do what they want," Chouhan said.

BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed Congress for promising loan waivers to farmers of Haryana in the party`s manifesto after it had failed to implement it in Madhya Pradesh and two other states.

BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday slammed Congress for promising loan waivers to farmers of Haryana in the party`s manifesto after it had failed to implement it in Madhya Pradesh and two other states. "It is the height of shamelessness. Rahul Gandhiji had himself said that Congress will waive off all loans of farmers under 10 days otherwise we will change the chief minister, 10 months have passed, but the loans have not been waived off here. And they are promising the same in Haryana this time, there is a limit even for lies," Chouhan told ANI here. Further accusing the Kamal Nath government of failing to help the farmers he said, "The farmers are in anguish, many people became defaulters and many of those are now committing suicide. There is a limit even on speaking lies, how much more can the Congress deceive the people." Urging Congress to apologise to the farmers whom they had troubled through their hollow promises made in the past, Chouhan said, "Congress has become a thug party now. They should apologize for not waiving off farm loans in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and they should stop making such promises in the future, the people are not going to be deceived by them anymore." Earlier today, Chief Minister Kamal Nath had said his party colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia was correct in claiming that farm loan of only up to Rs 50,000 has been waived off so far but he promised that his government will waive off farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh in due course of time. "He (Scindia) is right. We had said we will waive off Rs 50,000 farm loan in the first instalment. Next, we will waive off up to Rs 2 lakh. I agree that to have promised Rs 2 lakh farm loan waiver. I believe the public trust their leader," Chief Minister Nath told reporters here. The Chief Minister, however, said that suggestions for improvement are welcome, but one should first know the facts and truths, which are in front of the people. "The farm loans have not been waived off in totality. Loan of only Rs 50,000 has been waived off even when we had promised that loan up to Rs 2 Lakh will be waived," Scindia had said earlier. "The loans should be waived off completely," he had added. Reacting to both Scindia and Digvijaya Singh`s statements, who had pointed towards cattle being on the loose in the roads of the state, Chouhan said that it seemed like an attempt to put pressure on the Chief Minister. "Both Digvijaya and Scindiaji can meet the chief minister anytime and give him suggestions. This tweeting and commenting is a way to pressurise him so that he will be forced to do what they want," Chouhan said.

'There's a limit to lies': Shivraj Singh Chouhan slams Congress' farm loan waiver promise

It's a clear case of a canny politician promising the moon to win an election. Bernie Sanders promises to waive of Student loans within six months. Is this even feasible? Why do politicians ignore fiscal prudence? Palki interprets the development and assesses the issue with facts and draws parallels with the 'desperate' promises of politicians in other countries

Gravitas: When politicians promise the Moon

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress.

The main opposition party said not a single farmer has got loan waiver benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced under the scheme by the Congress government, which assumed office in December last year.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader Narottam Mishra said, "95 per cent farmers covered under the farm loan waiver scheme have got benefits of only up to Rs 15,000.

"Not a single farmer in the state has got the benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced by the Congress.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced that he would change the CM if he failed to implement the loan waiver scheme within 10 days of coming to power.

"Now, the states Congress government itself has accepted in advertisements published in newspapers that the second phase of the loan waiver scheme is being launched now," he said.

The state government has failed to implement this scheme even after six months. Now, Rahul should change the chief minister for failing to waive loans within 10 days (as promised earlier), said Mishra, a former minister.

Chief Minister Kamal Nath completed six months in office on Monday. In run up to the November Assembly polls, Gandhi had announced to write-off individual agriculture loans of up to Rs 2 lakh within 10 days of his party assuming power.

In early May, Nath had said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government.

Mishra also accused the Nath government of not submitting the complete list of farmers to the Centre for providing them financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana.

There are 80 lakh registered farmers in Madhya Pradesh, but the state government has provided the list of only 43,000 farmers to the Centre for providing assistance under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana.

"The state government is anti-farmer and creating hindrances in path of extending benefits to cultivators, the BJP leader said. 
 
He said the Congress government has "failed" on every front, including ensuring power supply, curbing crime against women, maintaining law and order and implementing loan waiver, in the last six months.

Instead, the Nath administration is blaming the opposition for the state's problems, he said.

"They are blaming the opposition for power cuts, crime and other issues. They are in the government, who is stopping them from taking action? Mishra asked.

To a question on the stability of the Nath government, being supported by the MLAs of the SP, the BSP and some independent lawmakers, the BJP leader said it will fall on its own.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress.

The BJP on Monday claimed 95 per cent of the farm loan beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh have got benefits of up to mere Rs 15,000 and not to the tune of Rs 2 lakh as claimed by the ruling Congress. The main opposition party said not a single farmer has got loan waiver benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced under the scheme by the Congress government, which assumed office in December last year. Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader Narottam Mishra said, "95 per cent farmers covered under the farm loan waiver scheme have got benefits of only up to Rs 15,000. "Not a single farmer in the state has got the benefit of Rs 2 lakh as announced by the Congress. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi had announced that he would change the CM if he failed to implement the loan waiver scheme within 10 days of coming to power. "Now, the states Congress government itself has accepted in advertisements published in newspapers that the second phase of the loan waiver scheme is being launched now," he said. The state government has failed to implement this scheme even after six months. Now, Rahul should change the chief minister for failing to waive loans within 10 days (as promised earlier), said Mishra, a former minister. Chief Minister Kamal Nath completed six months in office on Monday. In run up to the November Assembly polls, Gandhi had announced to write-off individual agriculture loans of up to Rs 2 lakh within 10 days of his party assuming power. In early May, Nath had said crop loans of over 21 lakh farmers have been cleared so far by his government. Mishra also accused the Nath government of not submitting the complete list of farmers to the Centre for providing them financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana. There are 80 lakh registered farmers in Madhya Pradesh, but the state government has provided the list of only 43,000 farmers to the Centre for providing assistance under the Kisan Nidhi Yojana. "The state government is anti-farmer and creating hindrances in path of extending benefits to cultivators, the BJP leader said. He said the Congress government has "failed" on every front, including ensuring power supply, curbing crime against women, maintaining law and order and implementing loan waiver, in the last six months. Instead, the Nath administration is blaming the opposition for the state's problems, he said. "They are blaming the opposition for power cuts, crime and other issues. They are in the government, who is stopping them from taking action? Mishra asked. To a question on the stability of the Nath government, being supported by the MLAs of the SP, the BSP and some independent lawmakers, the BJP leader said it will fall on its own.

Madhya Pradesh farmers got benefits of up to Rs 15,000, not Rs 2 lakh: BJP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday attacked the Congress for using farm loan waivers as a gimmick ahead of the election to win votes and said the party's previous such initiative benefitted only middlemen and select farmers.

He listed out various measures, including direct income support of Rs 6,000 to farmers cultivating on up to five acres of land, being taken by the central government to ensure welfare of the peasants neglected by the "previous governments".&nbsp;

"Congress always left out 70-80 per cent poor farmers from the benefit of their farm loan waiver scheme. What about these people?" he asked.

Modi laid foundation stones of various development projects worth Rs 6,000 crore which include setting up of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur, a bridge over river Chenab, pollution abatement project on rivers Devika and Tawi, a campus of Northern Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Mass Communication and University Institute of Engineering and Technology in Kathua.&nbsp;

Addressing a public rally in Vijaypur, the prime minister cited proposed amendments in the Citizenship Bill saying the country stands with those who faced persecution on the basis of their faith.

"We have brought the matter of change in Citizenship Bill with a commitment. Those (people) who had to part with India due to some condition in 1947, if they face persecution on the basis of their faith then the country has to stand with them," he said.&nbsp;

The Citizenship Bill seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh and entered India before December 31, 2014.

Protests were witnessed in different parts of the country over the Bill which has been passed by Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

Modi also talked about a "very emotional issue" of Kashmiri Pandits, saying he has been bearing the pain of their exodus.

He said the central government is committed to ensuring respect and dignity of the displaced community.

"The pain that they had to undergo. That they had to leave their homeland. I have never said this before but I have been feeling this pain of their within me," the prime minister said.

Modi said the government is going to build 14,000 bunkers in border areas of Jammu to ensure safety of people.

"The government is dealing strictly with the terrorism (being faced by the state)," he said.

He accused the Congress of lying on the issue of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) to retired defence personnel.

"How much they (Congress) lie? They talked big on the issue of welfare of ex-servicemen and allocated a meagre Rs 500 crore whereas this government has allocated over Rs 35,000 crore which included arrears worth Rs 11,000 crore," he said.

Modi said that if required attention had been given to the issue of Kartarpur corridor, then the pious land of Guru Nanak Dev would have been part of India.

The corridor, whose foundation stone was laid late last year, will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak - with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will only have to obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, established in 1522 by Guru Nanak.&nbsp;

During the address, the prime minister hit out at so-called "wise and big people" in the opposition parties for ridiculing his government's Jan Dhan scheme of financial inclusion, saying the bank accounts opened under it will help in ensuring that the benefits of recently-announced PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi programme reach its right beneficiary.&nbsp;

"Those ridiculing me have now realised what these accounts will be used for," he said.

Referring to upcoming general elections, the Prime Minister said the 'jung (war)' of 2019 is for taking country ahead.&nbsp;

He said the PM-Kisan scheme has been allocated Rs 75,000 crore annually which will mean Rs 7.5 lakh crore will be deposited in farmers' account in the next 10 years.

The scheme aims to cover 90 per cent of farmers who have less than five acres of land and Rs 6,000 will be transferred to their accounts annually in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000, Modi said, adding that efforts were being made to ensure the release of the first instalment at the earliest.&nbsp;

Attacking the Congress for promising farm loan waivers, he said that it is a temporary solution for the problem which the Congress uses to win elections only.

The Congress had promised to waive loans of farmers in 2008-09 which were in the range of Rs 6 lakh crore but when it came to power it only gave relief in loans worth Rs 52,000 crore, he said.&nbsp;

"CAG report found that about 30-35 lakh people who received these waivers were not even eligible to get it," Modi said at the rally in Vijaypur near Jammu.

Ridiculing the loan waiver scheme announced by the new Congress dispensation in Madhya Pradesh, the prime minister said some beneficiaries have been given cheques of Rs 13 only.

"People know the track record of country's 'naamdar'. They get 'fever' of loan waivers just before elections...They try to act as 'messiah' of farmers by announcing farm loan waivers once in 10 years," he said referring to the UPA's 10-year rule between 2004 and 2014.&nbsp;

Ironically, the BJP had also announced loan waivers for farmers in Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections in 2017.

After assuming power, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced loan waivers of up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday attacked the Congress for using farm loan waivers as a gimmick ahead of the election to win votes and said the party's previous such initiative benefitted only middlemen and select farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday attacked the Congress for using farm loan waivers as a gimmick ahead of the election to win votes and said the party's previous such initiative benefitted only middlemen and select farmers. He listed out various measures, including direct income support of Rs 6,000 to farmers cultivating on up to five acres of land, being taken by the central government to ensure welfare of the peasants neglected by the "previous governments". "Congress always left out 70-80 per cent poor farmers from the benefit of their farm loan waiver scheme. What about these people?" he asked. Modi laid foundation stones of various development projects worth Rs 6,000 crore which include setting up of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur, a bridge over river Chenab, pollution abatement project on rivers Devika and Tawi, a campus of Northern Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Mass Communication and University Institute of Engineering and Technology in Kathua. Addressing a public rally in Vijaypur, the prime minister cited proposed amendments in the Citizenship Bill saying the country stands with those who faced persecution on the basis of their faith. "We have brought the matter of change in Citizenship Bill with a commitment. Those (people) who had to part with India due to some condition in 1947, if they face persecution on the basis of their faith then the country has to stand with them," he said. The Citizenship Bill seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from three neighbouring countries -- Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh and entered India before December 31, 2014. Protests were witnessed in different parts of the country over the Bill which has been passed by Lok Sabha. Modi also talked about a "very emotional issue" of Kashmiri Pandits, saying he has been bearing the pain of their exodus. He said the central government is committed to ensuring respect and dignity of the displaced community. "The pain that they had to undergo. That they had to leave their homeland. I have never said this before but I have been feeling this pain of their within me," the prime minister said. Modi said the government is going to build 14,000 bunkers in border areas of Jammu to ensure safety of people. "The government is dealing strictly with the terrorism (being faced by the state)," he said. He accused the Congress of lying on the issue of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) to retired defence personnel. "How much they (Congress) lie? They talked big on the issue of welfare of ex-servicemen and allocated a meagre Rs 500 crore whereas this government has allocated over Rs 35,000 crore which included arrears worth Rs 11,000 crore," he said. Modi said that if required attention had been given to the issue of Kartarpur corridor, then the pious land of Guru Nanak Dev would have been part of India. The corridor, whose foundation stone was laid late last year, will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak - with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will only have to obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, established in 1522 by Guru Nanak. During the address, the prime minister hit out at so-called "wise and big people" in the opposition parties for ridiculing his government's Jan Dhan scheme of financial inclusion, saying the bank accounts opened under it will help in ensuring that the benefits of recently-announced PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi programme reach its right beneficiary. "Those ridiculing me have now realised what these accounts will be used for," he said. Referring to upcoming general elections, the Prime Minister said the 'jung (war)' of 2019 is for taking country ahead. He said the PM-Kisan scheme has been allocated Rs 75,000 crore annually which will mean Rs 7.5 lakh crore will be deposited in farmers' account in the next 10 years. The scheme aims to cover 90 per cent of farmers who have less than five acres of land and Rs 6,000 will be transferred to their accounts annually in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000, Modi said, adding that efforts were being made to ensure the release of the first instalment at the earliest. Attacking the Congress for promising farm loan waivers, he said that it is a temporary solution for the problem which the Congress uses to win elections only. The Congress had promised to waive loans of farmers in 2008-09 which were in the range of Rs 6 lakh crore but when it came to power it only gave relief in loans worth Rs 52,000 crore, he said. "CAG report found that about 30-35 lakh people who received these waivers were not even eligible to get it," Modi said at the rally in Vijaypur near Jammu. Ridiculing the loan waiver scheme announced by the new Congress dispensation in Madhya Pradesh, the prime minister said some beneficiaries have been given cheques of Rs 13 only. "People know the track record of country's 'naamdar'. They get 'fever' of loan waivers just before elections...They try to act as 'messiah' of farmers by announcing farm loan waivers once in 10 years," he said referring to the UPA's 10-year rule between 2004 and 2014. Ironically, the BJP had also announced loan waivers for farmers in Uttar Pradesh ahead of assembly elections in 2017. After assuming power, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced loan waivers of up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers.

PM Modi attacks Congress for farm loan waiver 'gimmick'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waiver promises, calling them lollipops.

On a day's visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi claimed the JD(S)-Congress coalition government which came to power in Karnataka recently had waived only 800 farm loans.

"Be wary of the Congress and its lies,"&nbsp;he said at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on legendary king Suheldev.

"Will you trust the lollypop company"&nbsp;he said.

Modi's remarks on farm loans&nbsp;"made at other recent meetings as well"&nbsp;follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after the recent assembly polls.

Modi has been saying that the Congress had promised much more than its governments have delivered on loan waivers, a charge denied in the past by that party.

The prime minister described himself again as a "chowkidar' (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

"This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children,"&nbsp;he said.

"Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights. It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day," he said. 
He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior.

"Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of 'Maa Bharti',"&nbsp;he said.

"All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of society seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development)," he said.

The PM's rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev.

However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time.

Modi said his government will not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away.

"There are bravehearts of the country who have not been given the due respect by the previous governments. Our government is paying tribute to them,"&nbsp;he said.

"Several important steps have being taken to transform Purvanchal into a big medical hub and to strengthen small industries in UP," Modi said.

He said when a government works with transparency and public interest is put above self-interest, big tasks are accomplished effectively.

"Today even the poorest of the poor are heard. The government has been able to lay the foundation of a strong monument," he said.

Modi mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and said for the first time healthcare had been given so much emphasis.

The prime minister listed several agriculture-related projects for the region.

These include the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi, cargo centres in Varanasi and Ghazipur, a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur and the Bansagar irrigation project.

He said the Union government has fixed the minimum support price of 22 crops at one and a half times the cost of production.

Mentioning connectivity projects, Modi said work is in full swing for the Purvanchal Expressway.

The recently opened waterway between Varanasi and Kolkata would also benefit Ghazipur, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waiver promises, calling them lollipops. On a day's visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi claimed the JD(S)-Congress coalition government which came to power in Karnataka recently had waived only 800 farm loans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress of misleading farmers on loan waiver promises, calling them lollipops. On a day's visit to the Purvanchal region, his second trip to Uttar Pradesh this month, Modi claimed the JD(S)-Congress coalition government which came to power in Karnataka recently had waived only 800 farm loans. "Be wary of the Congress and its lies," he said at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stone for a medical college and releasing a postal stamp on legendary king Suheldev. "Will you trust the lollypop company" he said. Modi's remarks on farm loans "made at other recent meetings as well" follow the waivers announced by the Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after the recent assembly polls. Modi has been saying that the Congress had promised much more than its governments have delivered on loan waivers, a charge denied in the past by that party. The prime minister described himself again as a "chowkidar' (watchman) of the people, a term ridiculed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "This chowkidar of yours is toiling very hard day and night, and with honesty, to brighten your future and that of your children," he said. "Because of this chowkidar, some thieves are having sleepless nights. It is your faith and blessings on me that will take the thieves to their rightful place one day," he said. He described Maharaja Suheldev as a brave warrior. "Maharaja Suheldev is among those bravehearts who had struggled for the honour of 'Maa Bharti'," he said. "All people hailing from the deprived and the exploited sections of society seek inspiration from him. Remembering him strengthens the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas (inclusive development)," he said. The PM's rally here is also being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party to woo the Rajbhar community, which reveres Maharaja Suheldev. However, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has distanced itself from the event. SBSP chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has claimed he was not invited in time. Modi said his government will not let the memory of those who defended the country and worked for society to fade away. "There are bravehearts of the country who have not been given the due respect by the previous governments. Our government is paying tribute to them," he said. "Several important steps have being taken to transform Purvanchal into a big medical hub and to strengthen small industries in UP," Modi said. He said when a government works with transparency and public interest is put above self-interest, big tasks are accomplished effectively. "Today even the poorest of the poor are heard. The government has been able to lay the foundation of a strong monument," he said. Modi mentioned Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and said for the first time healthcare had been given so much emphasis. The prime minister listed several agriculture-related projects for the region. These include the International Rice Research Institute in Varanasi, cargo centres in Varanasi and Ghazipur, a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur and the Bansagar irrigation project. He said the Union government has fixed the minimum support price of 22 crops at one and a half times the cost of production. Mentioning connectivity projects, Modi said work is in full swing for the Purvanchal Expressway. The recently opened waterway between Varanasi and Kolkata would also benefit Ghazipur, he added.

PM Modi attacks Congress on loan waiver promises

It is unfortunate that the most important product in the world, food, suffers from an intransigent pricing problem. The producers never get the right price, rarely make enough profits to survive and are invariably veering between bankruptcy and debt.&nbsp;

The loan waiver is just another way of throwing money at a problem, putting a petty band-aid on a festering wound. Soon, loan waivers will become a fashion that will adorn the election manifestos of all the parties. The path to winning will go through giving. Basically, the loans are not waived but transferred from the books of the farmers to the state budget. The states will have to borrow money to pay the banks who have given these loans.

Most states do not have the revenue to pay the banks, so the interest burden from the borrowings will be paid out from capital expenditure. If that happens, the work in building or improving infrastructure in cities and urban areas will take a back seat.

Many have said that the loan waiver is not a solution. Then what, pray, is the way out? The farmer needs to be seen as a small businessman and has to be treated as such by banks, the government and even business.&nbsp;

There are three myths which need to be dispelled for any solution to ensure the survival of agriculture. One, armchair economists, wherever they are perched, need to understand that it’s not a price discovery problem, but realisation of price (daam kitna milta hai or how much price will the farmer get?) Hence electronic platforms do not serve any purpose as the farmer cannot sell on it. It helps only traders and speculators.&nbsp;

The second myth, dismantling the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), sounds like a great solution as it leads to legislative action, which politicians and bureaucrats can claim as a success. It does not solve anything till such time that the farmer is not given alternative marketplace or mandi to sell. Corporate retail buying cannot be an alternate market or buyer replacing the middleman of the mandis. A Walmart or a Grofers cannot and should not replace the mandis, because a single large buyer is as much a problem as a horde of middlemen. The third myth is that a corporate buyer will be more fair than traders in a mandi.

The pricing and realisation has to be real, transparent and cannot be left to the vagaries of the brutal market forces.&nbsp;

To understand the pricing conundrum for agricultural produce, the best example are vegetables. Its pricing clock starts ticking the moment vegetables are cut from the farm; every minute after that, its price declines, given that it is perishable. By the time the farmer reaches the market with it, he has only one option — to sell at whatever price he gets or dump as he cannot carry it back.&nbsp;

Hence, we hear vegetable produce being sold for a pittance, as low as 50 paise a kilo. It’s a sell or dump market. The produce cannot go back and every minute that passes, the price of the perishable goes down in value at the selling mart.

Plus, there are always too many sellers at the same time in the market. As they are not organised — unlike the buyer who manages to cartelize — they have no control over prices. This is where intervention is needed to regularise this market and remove the inherent unfairness embedded in it.

The solution lies in the BJP’s election manifesto, which recommends a farmers’ market. It needs a logistical backend created by a producer company jointly owned by the farmer and the state.&nbsp;

The Finance Minister has already given a 100 per cent tax exemption to producer companies. States need to create these producer companies and help farmers get their produce to the city consumers.&nbsp;

Only when the logistics are owned, controlled and not geared towards profit, will price realisation truly happen. Otherwise, it is the supply chain that eats up the margins of the farmer. The economic model for this supply chain has to be created at both the district and village cluster level.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, the government’s think tank is not interested in real models. Too dependent on foreign consultancy firms, which cut and paste templates from western markets.

The problem of small farmers and their inability to demand or command prices is a very Asian problem that typically afflicts very populous countries.

The way ahead lies in identifying the aspirational districts where this model can be rolled out. District Collectors across the country can look at these producer companies as job generating engines. The supply chain, once created, will benefit the ecosystem enormously.&nbsp;

There is an urgent need to address the agriculture problem, as there is another drought looming ahead with winter rains being below par across most of India. The north-west monsoon has been poor and several parts of the country are already facing acute water shortage. It would make sense for the government to think of a direct income transfer for all the farmers who had opened Jan-Dhan accounts as a stop gap measure till it implements the producer company model.

The design of the solution has to take into account that the government cushions the failure and incentivises success.

The current system is designed to enslave a large section of the population in a perpetual failure model. This has to change and a new model has to be implemented.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-sell-or-dump-market-2701082">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

It is unfortunate that the most important product in the world, food, suffers from an intransigent pricing problem. The producers never get the right price, rarely make enough profits to survive and are invariably veering between bankruptcy and debt.

It is unfortunate that the most important product in the world, food, suffers from an intransigent pricing problem. The producers never get the right price, rarely make enough profits to survive and are invariably veering between bankruptcy and debt. The loan waiver is just another way of throwing money at a problem, putting a petty band-aid on a festering wound. Soon, loan waivers will become a fashion that will adorn the election manifestos of all the parties. The path to winning will go through giving. Basically, the loans are not waived but transferred from the books of the farmers to the state budget. The states will have to borrow money to pay the banks who have given these loans. Most states do not have the revenue to pay the banks, so the interest burden from the borrowings will be paid out from capital expenditure. If that happens, the work in building or improving infrastructure in cities and urban areas will take a back seat. Many have said that the loan waiver is not a solution. Then what, pray, is the way out? The farmer needs to be seen as a small businessman and has to be treated as such by banks, the government and even business. There are three myths which need to be dispelled for any solution to ensure the survival of agriculture. One, armchair economists, wherever they are perched, need to understand that it’s not a price discovery problem, but realisation of price (daam kitna milta hai or how much price will the farmer get?) Hence electronic platforms do not serve any purpose as the farmer cannot sell on it. It helps only traders and speculators. The second myth, dismantling the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), sounds like a great solution as it leads to legislative action, which politicians and bureaucrats can claim as a success. It does not solve anything till such time that the farmer is not given alternative marketplace or mandi to sell. Corporate retail buying cannot be an alternate market or buyer replacing the middleman of the mandis. A Walmart or a Grofers cannot and should not replace the mandis, because a single large buyer is as much a problem as a horde of middlemen. The third myth is that a corporate buyer will be more fair than traders in a mandi. The pricing and realisation has to be real, transparent and cannot be left to the vagaries of the brutal market forces. To understand the pricing conundrum for agricultural produce, the best example are vegetables. Its pricing clock starts ticking the moment vegetables are cut from the farm; every minute after that, its price declines, given that it is perishable. By the time the farmer reaches the market with it, he has only one option — to sell at whatever price he gets or dump as he cannot carry it back. Hence, we hear vegetable produce being sold for a pittance, as low as 50 paise a kilo. It’s a sell or dump market. The produce cannot go back and every minute that passes, the price of the perishable goes down in value at the selling mart. Plus, there are always too many sellers at the same time in the market. As they are not organised — unlike the buyer who manages to cartelize — they have no control over prices. This is where intervention is needed to regularise this market and remove the inherent unfairness embedded in it. The solution lies in the BJP’s election manifesto, which recommends a farmers’ market. It needs a logistical backend created by a producer company jointly owned by the farmer and the state. The Finance Minister has already given a 100 per cent tax exemption to producer companies. States need to create these producer companies and help farmers get their produce to the city consumers. Only when the logistics are owned, controlled and not geared towards profit, will price realisation truly happen. Otherwise, it is the supply chain that eats up the margins of the farmer. The economic model for this supply chain has to be created at both the district and village cluster level. Unfortunately, the government’s think tank is not interested in real models. Too dependent on foreign consultancy firms, which cut and paste templates from western markets. The problem of small farmers and their inability to demand or command prices is a very Asian problem that typically afflicts very populous countries. The way ahead lies in identifying the aspirational districts where this model can be rolled out. District Collectors across the country can look at these producer companies as job generating engines. The supply chain, once created, will benefit the ecosystem enormously. There is an urgent need to address the agriculture problem, as there is another drought looming ahead with winter rains being below par across most of India. The north-west monsoon has been poor and several parts of the country are already facing acute water shortage. It would make sense for the government to think of a direct income transfer for all the farmers who had opened Jan-Dhan accounts as a stop gap measure till it implements the producer company model. The design of the solution has to take into account that the government cushions the failure and incentivises success. The current system is designed to enslave a large section of the population in a perpetual failure model. This has to change and a new model has to be implemented. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Agrarian crisis: Farm loan waiver is not the solution

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

Assembly election results in five states reflect the anger of the farmers who have waited for four-and-a-half years for the government to fulfil their poll promise of loan waiver and minimum support price (MSP) for the crops in accordance with the Swaminathan report.&nbsp;

These two demands are the centre point of the countrywide struggle by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella of 209 farming organisations.&nbsp;

Sensing the mood of the farmers’ movement, the Congress along with 20 other political parties has signed a resolution to support the two bills, namely Freedom From Debt and Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Prices.&nbsp;

Instead of one-time complete loan waiver, the Congress party in its manifesto mentioned a waiver of Rs 2 lakh. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, immediately after being sworn in, has written off loans up to Rs 2 lakh, with cutoff date mentioned as March 31, 2018.&nbsp;

There is no clarification as yet whether all those who took loans as on March 31, 2018, would be entitled to this benefit or only defaulters would be entitled to the declaration. It should not be like the last waiver by the Congress government at the Centre in 2008-09, which waived loans only of defaulters.&nbsp;

This would not only end up in large-scale manipulations by bank officers but also dissuade those who have returned the loans in adverse circumstances, by either borrowing or raising money by accumulating further debt.

The farmer usually gets crop loans for six months and it is likely that many of them would have renewed the same in September 2018. These days, the banks have evolved a technique to renew loans. On one hand, loan entry is reversed from the suspense account or any other account at 2 per cent additional cost and on the other, the limit of the farmer is increased, whereby he gets some money for his subsistence.&nbsp;

In these circumstances, if the farmer has repaid the debt taken by him on March 31, 2018, it would be very unfortunate to exclude him from the loan waiver scheme and would be against the spirit of the agenda to empower the farmers. The only way would be to credit a maximum of Rs 2 lakh in the account of every farmer who had taken the loan as on March 31, 2018.

Loan waiver without increasing the MSP or without a guarantee to ensure that the farmers get the MSP will only accumulate loans in the future. These two demands are closely connected – if the issue of remunerative prices alone is tackled without providing relief from indebtedness, the increased returns will only go to pay back increasing loans.&nbsp;

On the other hand, if only loan waivers are provided without addressing the issue of remunerative prices, farmers will again be pushed back into the debt trap. Therefore, AIKSCC seeks to secure these two as legal rights for all farmers, through the enactment of two Central legislation.&nbsp;

The bills were submitted as private member bills by Raju Shetti in the Lok Sabha and KK Ragesh in the Rajya Sabha. They may have been submitted as private member bills, but they have the mandate of all the country’s farmers.

The first bill clearly mentions that it is a one-time loan waiver and would be benefitting all the farmers who have paid the loan or who have defaulted with their payment. The second bill ensures that the MSP is fixed as per the Swaminathan report, i.e, one-and-a-half times the production cost.&nbsp;

The production cost must be a comprehensive one (C2) wherein apart from input cost (A2), cost of family labour (FL), the interest on capital, rent of land and depreciation of machinery is also taken into account.&nbsp;

The bill also guarantees that no person can purchase the produce below the MSP and if anyone buys below the MSP, then he would be imprisoned and will also have to pay double the difference of the amount paid and the MSP as a penalty to the farmer.&nbsp;

This is the only way to get farming back on track. The next generation is not interested in continuing with farming, as agriculture is a losing proposition.

The only way out to discuss and pass the bills, which has the consent of 21 political parties, is by calling for a special session of the Parliament. This is the solution to discuss the agrarian crisis in the present scenario. In the last session the No Confidence motion was not allowed to be taken up due to disorder in the house and no business has been transacted in this session so far.&nbsp;

If the country can have a midnight special session for GST, don’t the farmers of the country who have been sacrificing their lives to feed the nation, deserve the passing of these bills in the hope of a better living. These bills will ensure that once the debt is over and done with, there is no further debt once the farmer gets one-and-a-half times his production cost, i.e C2.&nbsp;

All this will go a long way in providing livelihood to the next generation, who in the absence of job availability and agriculture being a losing preposition, are disillusioned and are getting into depression or into drugs. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-wretched-of-the-earth-2697728">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly election results in five states reflect the anger of the farmers who have waited for four-and-a-half years for the government to fulfil their poll promise of loan waiver and minimum support price (MSP) for the crops in accordance with the Swaminathan report.

Assembly election results in five states reflect the anger of the farmers who have waited for four-and-a-half years for the government to fulfil their poll promise of loan waiver and minimum support price (MSP) for the crops in accordance with the Swaminathan report. These two demands are the centre point of the countrywide struggle by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), an umbrella of 209 farming organisations. Sensing the mood of the farmers’ movement, the Congress along with 20 other political parties has signed a resolution to support the two bills, namely Freedom From Debt and Guaranteed Remunerative Minimum Support Prices. Instead of one-time complete loan waiver, the Congress party in its manifesto mentioned a waiver of Rs 2 lakh. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, immediately after being sworn in, has written off loans up to Rs 2 lakh, with cutoff date mentioned as March 31, 2018. There is no clarification as yet whether all those who took loans as on March 31, 2018, would be entitled to this benefit or only defaulters would be entitled to the declaration. It should not be like the last waiver by the Congress government at the Centre in 2008-09, which waived loans only of defaulters. This would not only end up in large-scale manipulations by bank officers but also dissuade those who have returned the loans in adverse circumstances, by either borrowing or raising money by accumulating further debt. The farmer usually gets crop loans for six months and it is likely that many of them would have renewed the same in September 2018. These days, the banks have evolved a technique to renew loans. On one hand, loan entry is reversed from the suspense account or any other account at 2 per cent additional cost and on the other, the limit of the farmer is increased, whereby he gets some money for his subsistence. In these circumstances, if the farmer has repaid the debt taken by him on March 31, 2018, it would be very unfortunate to exclude him from the loan waiver scheme and would be against the spirit of the agenda to empower the farmers. The only way would be to credit a maximum of Rs 2 lakh in the account of every farmer who had taken the loan as on March 31, 2018. Loan waiver without increasing the MSP or without a guarantee to ensure that the farmers get the MSP will only accumulate loans in the future. These two demands are closely connected – if the issue of remunerative prices alone is tackled without providing relief from indebtedness, the increased returns will only go to pay back increasing loans. On the other hand, if only loan waivers are provided without addressing the issue of remunerative prices, farmers will again be pushed back into the debt trap. Therefore, AIKSCC seeks to secure these two as legal rights for all farmers, through the enactment of two Central legislation. The bills were submitted as private member bills by Raju Shetti in the Lok Sabha and KK Ragesh in the Rajya Sabha. They may have been submitted as private member bills, but they have the mandate of all the country’s farmers. The first bill clearly mentions that it is a one-time loan waiver and would be benefitting all the farmers who have paid the loan or who have defaulted with their payment. The second bill ensures that the MSP is fixed as per the Swaminathan report, i.e, one-and-a-half times the production cost. The production cost must be a comprehensive one (C2) wherein apart from input cost (A2), cost of family labour (FL), the interest on capital, rent of land and depreciation of machinery is also taken into account. The bill also guarantees that no person can purchase the produce below the MSP and if anyone buys below the MSP, then he would be imprisoned and will also have to pay double the difference of the amount paid and the MSP as a penalty to the farmer. This is the only way to get farming back on track. The next generation is not interested in continuing with farming, as agriculture is a losing proposition. The only way out to discuss and pass the bills, which has the consent of 21 political parties, is by calling for a special session of the Parliament. This is the solution to discuss the agrarian crisis in the present scenario. In the last session the No Confidence motion was not allowed to be taken up due to disorder in the house and no business has been transacted in this session so far. If the country can have a midnight special session for GST, don’t the farmers of the country who have been sacrificing their lives to feed the nation, deserve the passing of these bills in the hope of a better living. These bills will ensure that once the debt is over and done with, there is no further debt once the farmer gets one-and-a-half times his production cost, i.e C2. All this will go a long way in providing livelihood to the next generation, who in the absence of job availability and agriculture being a losing preposition, are disillusioned and are getting into depression or into drugs. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Farmers' woes: Without MSP hike, loan waivers won't end agrarian crisis

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister-designate Bhupesh Baghel said Sunday that a loan waiver for farmers will be announced in the first meeting of the new state Cabinet.

Baghel, who will be taking the oath of office Monday afternoon, also said that a Special Investigation Team will be constituted to probe the 2013 Jhiram Valley Naxal attack in which several senior Congress leaders were killed.

"In the first Cabinet meeting, the loan waiver will be announced and an SIT will be constituted to probe the Jhiram valley incident," Baghel told reporters here.

"Promises made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi to farmers will be our first priority. To probe the conspiracy behind the Jhiram valley incident will also be our priority," he said.

"Our focus will be on the welfare of farmers, tribals, youth, women and small traders," he added.

The Congress' manifesto had promised to waive the loans of farmers within 10 days of coming to power.

It had also promised a bonus on paddy procurement and a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,500 per quintal of paddy.

Baghel, a five-time MLA from Patan and the state Congress chief, was named earlier Sunday as the next chief minister at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting.

He will take oath at 4.30 PM at Science College ground here Monday.

In a Naxal attack in Jhiram Valley in Bastar district on May 25, 2013, almost entire state Congress leadership was wiped out.

State Congress chief Nandkumar Patel and former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma were among those killed.

The Congress had demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister-designate Bhupesh Baghel said Sunday that a loan waiver for farmers will be announced in the first meeting of the new state Cabinet. Baghel, who will be taking the oath of office Monday afternoon, also said that a Special Investigation Team will be constituted to probe the 2013 Jhiram Valley Naxal attack in which several senior Congress leaders were killed.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister-designate Bhupesh Baghel said Sunday that a loan waiver for farmers will be announced in the first meeting of the new state Cabinet. Baghel, who will be taking the oath of office Monday afternoon, also said that a Special Investigation Team will be constituted to probe the 2013 Jhiram Valley Naxal attack in which several senior Congress leaders were killed. "In the first Cabinet meeting, the loan waiver will be announced and an SIT will be constituted to probe the Jhiram valley incident," Baghel told reporters here. "Promises made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi to farmers will be our first priority. To probe the conspiracy behind the Jhiram valley incident will also be our priority," he said. "Our focus will be on the welfare of farmers, tribals, youth, women and small traders," he added. The Congress' manifesto had promised to waive the loans of farmers within 10 days of coming to power. It had also promised a bonus on paddy procurement and a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,500 per quintal of paddy. Baghel, a five-time MLA from Patan and the state Congress chief, was named earlier Sunday as the next chief minister at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting. He will take oath at 4.30 PM at Science College ground here Monday. In a Naxal attack in Jhiram Valley in Bastar district on May 25, 2013, almost entire state Congress leadership was wiped out. State Congress chief Nandkumar Patel and former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma were among those killed. The Congress had demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

Loan waiver will be announced in first Cabinet meet: Bhupesh Baghel

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's promise of a farm loan waiver, if his party is voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, seems to have helped it reap a rich harvest of votes and end 15-year-long wait for power.

In the wake of Gandhi's populist promise made during campaigning for the November 28 polls, cultivators did not sell their paddy produce and stocked them to reap the benefit of the promised loan write-off, a farmer leader said Wednesday.

This was done to avoid paying loan instalments to banks as sale proceeds would have been directly deposited in their accounts, he said.

The Congress chief had promised loan waiver for farmers within 10 days of forming the government in the state.

Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing Federation, popularly known as MP Markfed, procured just 67,148 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy from farmers between November 15 and December 8, an official said.

The paddy procurement was 4.30 lakh MT between the same period last year.

The procurement carried out by the MP Civil Supplies Corporation was also reportedly negligible, though its chairman Hitesh Bajpai did not provide any figures.

"Farmers held back their paddy produce knowing if they sell it off, their payment under Minimum Support Price (MSP) would be deposited in their accounts by government procurement agencies and the banks would deduct their loan instalments," Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM) president Shiv Kumar Sharma told.

"They have voted en masse for the Congress," he said.

On the polling eve, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in an interview had dismissed suggestions that paddy procurement was low due to Gandhi's loan waiver promise, and said it was due to late harvesting.

The BJP Chief Minister had dubbed the Congress loan waiver promise as a "gimmick".

"It won't cast a shadow on polls because loans won't be waived in real term. They promised a loan waiver of Rs 58,000 crore in Punjab which got confined to just Rs 2,500 crore," Chouhan had said.

"If the Congress does not waive loans in 10 days as promised by Rahul Gandhi in his public meetings, we will launch a protest," said Sharma, a former RSS ideologue who also served as MP unit president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.

The Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the state, winning 114 seats, two short of a simple majority of 116 in the 230-member house, but has claimed the support of seven more MLAs.

The BJP, ruling Madhya Pradesh since 2003, bagged 109 seats.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's promise of a farm loan waiver, if his party is voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, seems to have helped it reap a rich harvest of votes and end 15-year-long wait for power.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi's promise of a farm loan waiver, if his party is voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, seems to have helped it reap a rich harvest of votes and end 15-year-long wait for power. In the wake of Gandhi's populist promise made during campaigning for the November 28 polls, cultivators did not sell their paddy produce and stocked them to reap the benefit of the promised loan write-off, a farmer leader said Wednesday. This was done to avoid paying loan instalments to banks as sale proceeds would have been directly deposited in their accounts, he said. The Congress chief had promised loan waiver for farmers within 10 days of forming the government in the state. Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Marketing Federation, popularly known as MP Markfed, procured just 67,148 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy from farmers between November 15 and December 8, an official said. The paddy procurement was 4.30 lakh MT between the same period last year. The procurement carried out by the MP Civil Supplies Corporation was also reportedly negligible, though its chairman Hitesh Bajpai did not provide any figures. "Farmers held back their paddy produce knowing if they sell it off, their payment under Minimum Support Price (MSP) would be deposited in their accounts by government procurement agencies and the banks would deduct their loan instalments," Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM) president Shiv Kumar Sharma told. "They have voted en masse for the Congress," he said. On the polling eve, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in an interview had dismissed suggestions that paddy procurement was low due to Gandhi's loan waiver promise, and said it was due to late harvesting. The BJP Chief Minister had dubbed the Congress loan waiver promise as a "gimmick". "It won't cast a shadow on polls because loans won't be waived in real term. They promised a loan waiver of Rs 58,000 crore in Punjab which got confined to just Rs 2,500 crore," Chouhan had said. "If the Congress does not waive loans in 10 days as promised by Rahul Gandhi in his public meetings, we will launch a protest," said Sharma, a former RSS ideologue who also served as MP unit president of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. The Congress has emerged as the single largest party in the state, winning 114 seats, two short of a simple majority of 116 in the 230-member house, but has claimed the support of seven more MLAs. The BJP, ruling Madhya Pradesh since 2003, bagged 109 seats.

Promise of loan waiver tipped scales in Congress's favour in MP

Protesting farmers have finally completed their 180-km march as they reached Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday to protest outside the Vidhan Bhavan.&nbsp;

The six-day long march, called by Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS) affiliated with the CPI(M), began on March 6 from the CBS chowk in Nashik.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Visuals from Mumbai&#39;s Azad Maidan where members of All India Kisan Sabha have gathered to protest. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/3GgN6UMVPB">pic.twitter.com/3GgN6UMVPB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973033475509977088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Farmers have been walking with blistered feet under the scorching sun from last six days, sighting difficulty for the office goers and the students appearing for board examinations on Monday.&nbsp;

The farmers reached Thane toll on Saturday and following a night-halt, they marched towards Sion on Sunday.&nbsp;

After resting for nearly three hours at Somaiya ground, they started marching towards Azad Maidan at 1 am.

Today, they plan to surround the state assembly to press for their demands for a complete loan waiver, fair pay and transfer of adivasi land to farmers who have been tilling it for years.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a>: Latest visuals of All India Kisan Sabha protest which has reached Mumbai&#39;s Azad Maidan. The protest will proceed to state assembly later in the day. <a href="https://t.co/Dp5hsKU1Rc">pic.twitter.com/Dp5hsKU1Rc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973019834538749953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The protestors are also demanding to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

The tribals have joined the protest in huge numbers. The huge crowd reached Azad Maidan around 5 am.&nbsp;

The protestors had camped at the KJ Somaiya Ground before marching towards Azad Maidan, a large ground designated for protests in South Mumbai, shortly after midnight.

Today, they plan to surround the state assembly to press for their demands

Protesting farmers have finally completed their 180-km march as they reached Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Monday to protest outside the Vidhan Bhavan. The six-day long march, called by Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (ABKS) affiliated with the CPI(M), began on March 6 from the CBS chowk in Nashik. #WATCH: Visuals from Mumbai's Azad Maidan where members of All India Kisan Sabha have gathered to protest. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/3GgN6UMVPB — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Farmers have been walking with blistered feet under the scorching sun from last six days, sighting difficulty for the office goers and the students appearing for board examinations on Monday. The farmers reached Thane toll on Saturday and following a night-halt, they marched towards Sion on Sunday. After resting for nearly three hours at Somaiya ground, they started marching towards Azad Maidan at 1 am. Today, they plan to surround the state assembly to press for their demands for a complete loan waiver, fair pay and transfer of adivasi land to farmers who have been tilling it for years. #Maharashtra: Latest visuals of All India Kisan Sabha protest which has reached Mumbai's Azad Maidan. The protest will proceed to state assembly later in the day. pic.twitter.com/Dp5hsKU1Rc — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × The protestors are also demanding to implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. The tribals have joined the protest in huge numbers. The huge crowd reached Azad Maidan around 5 am. The protestors had camped at the KJ Somaiya Ground before marching towards Azad Maidan, a large ground designated for protests in South Mumbai, shortly after midnight.

Mumbai: Farmers complete 180-km protest march, reach Azad Maidan to demand loan waiver

Some&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-30000-farmers-marching-from-nashik-demanding-farm-loan-waiver-to-reach-mumbai-today-35356" target="_blank">35,000 farmers reached Mumbai on Sunday </a>demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver and leaving the city on edge.

The farmers, who are also demanding higher&nbsp;prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations, plan to&nbsp;gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

The farmers had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders.

Though the All India Kisan Sabha party has communist associations, Davle said that the protest should not be branded as &quot;communist&quot;. The protests, Davle said, was for a common cause and not restricted to the Left alone.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Over 30,000 farmers of All India Kisan Sabha march in protest demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march started from Nashik and reached Mumbai today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a> <a href="https://t.co/dKinWWnmhf">pic.twitter.com/dKinWWnmhf</a>
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The Swaminathan Committee report says farmers should be reimbursed one-and-a-half times the cost of their produce and also fix the Minimum Support Price.

Longtime cultivators of Adivasi&nbsp;land also demanded transfer of the land to their names.&nbsp;

The protesters have been on the road for the last five days.&nbsp;They camped this morning at the Thane-Mumbai border.

The farmers have said their protest will not affect the residents of Mumbai but the city is on edge.

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Traffic arrangements during the Long March tomorrow <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrafficUpdate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrafficUpdate</a> <a href="https://t.co/GVYJGkVa79">pic.twitter.com/GVYJGkVa79</a>
&mdash; Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/MumbaiPolice/status/972495067968671744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Keeping in mind the Class X board exams, Davle said farmers will protest Monday at 11 am after students have got to their respective examination&nbsp;centres.

Mumbai Police meanwhile said they are fully prepared to handle the protesters and the potential traffic jams. They have however advised residents not to use the Eastern Express Highway.&nbsp;

The farmers plan to gherao the Vidhan Sabha Monday

Some 35,000 farmers reached Mumbai on Sunday demanding, among other things, a complete loan waiver and leaving the city on edge. The farmers, who are also demanding higher prices for their produce and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations, plan to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on Monday. The farmers had marched to Mumbai from Nashik, with the 180-km-long march being led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA JP Gavit and other leaders. Though the All India Kisan Sabha party has communist associations, Davle said that the protest should not be branded as "communist". The protests, Davle said, was for a common cause and not restricted to the Left alone. #WATCH: Over 30,000 farmers of All India Kisan Sabha march in protest demanding a complete loan waiver among other demands. The march started from Nashik and reached Mumbai today. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/dKinWWnmhf — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × The Swaminathan Committee report says farmers should be reimbursed one-and-a-half times the cost of their produce and also fix the Minimum Support Price. Longtime cultivators of Adivasi land also demanded transfer of the land to their names. The protesters have been on the road for the last five days. They camped this morning at the Thane-Mumbai border. The farmers have said their protest will not affect the residents of Mumbai but the city is on edge. Traffic arrangements during the Long March tomorrow #TrafficUpdate pic.twitter.com/GVYJGkVa79 — Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) March 10, 2018 × Keeping in mind the Class X board exams, Davle said farmers will protest Monday at 11 am after students have got to their respective examination centres. Mumbai Police meanwhile said they are fully prepared to handle the protesters and the potential traffic jams. They have however advised residents not to use the Eastern Express Highway.

35,000 farmers reach Mumbai demanding loan waiver

Nearly 30,000 farmers in Maharashtra, marching from Nashik to Mumbai to protest what they term as government&#39;s anti-farmer policies, reached Thane on Friday morning.&nbsp;

The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha&nbsp;National President Ashok Davle, local MLA J P Gavit and other leaders.

Davle claimed that&nbsp;1,753 farmers have killed themselves since June last year when the BJP-led state government announced a conditional farm loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maharashtra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maharashtra</a>: All India Kisan Sabha protest reaches Thane. More than 30,000 farmers from across the state of Maharashtra are heading towards Mumbai from Nashik demanding a complete loan waiver for the farmers of the state. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. <a href="https://t.co/pvadOFrxQr">pic.twitter.com/pvadOFrxQr</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971942163436072961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Apart from seeking a complete waiver of farmers&#39; loans and electricity bills, the farmers&nbsp;are demanding the implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which addresses issues of providing minimum support prices (MSP) and safeguarding interests of small farmers.

Davle accused the BJP government of having betrayed farmers. He said that&nbsp;promises made have remained unfulfilled.

He is also demanding transfer of forest land to those who have been tilling it for years and an increase in the compensation for peasants whose crops were damaged in the recent hailstorms and pink bollworm infestation.

Farmers and farm labourers in large number from various districts of the state gathered in Nashik city before setting off on a six-day &lsquo;long march&rsquo; to Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon.

They aim to reach Mumbai by Monday and gherao the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on March 12.

The Devendra Fadnavis government has been under immense pressure after continuous protests by farmers who alleged that he did not honour assurances given to farmers for a farm loan waiver of Rs. 34,000 crore in June last year. 
&nbsp;

The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha

Nearly 30,000 farmers in Maharashtra, marching from Nashik to Mumbai to protest what they term as government's anti-farmer policies, reached Thane on Friday morning. The 180-km-long march is led by All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Davle, local MLA J P Gavit and other leaders. Davle claimed that 1,753 farmers have killed themselves since June last year when the BJP-led state government announced a conditional farm loan waiver of Rs 34,000 crore. #Maharashtra: All India Kisan Sabha protest reaches Thane. More than 30,000 farmers from across the state of Maharashtra are heading towards Mumbai from Nashik demanding a complete loan waiver for the farmers of the state. The march will reach Mumbai on 12th March. pic.twitter.com/pvadOFrxQr — ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018 × Apart from seeking a complete waiver of farmers' loans and electricity bills, the farmers are demanding the implementation of recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, which addresses issues of providing minimum support prices (MSP) and safeguarding interests of small farmers. Davle accused the BJP government of having betrayed farmers. He said that promises made have remained unfulfilled. He is also demanding transfer of forest land to those who have been tilling it for years and an increase in the compensation for peasants whose crops were damaged in the recent hailstorms and pink bollworm infestation. Farmers and farm labourers in large number from various districts of the state gathered in Nashik city before setting off on a six-day ‘long march’ to Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon. They aim to reach Mumbai by Monday and gherao the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha on March 12. The Devendra Fadnavis government has been under immense pressure after continuous protests by farmers who alleged that he did not honour assurances given to farmers for a farm loan waiver of Rs. 34,000 crore in June last year.

Maharashtra: 30,000 farmers head towards Mumbai to demand complete loan waiver

The Maharashtra government rolled out the first phase of its loan waiver scheme on&nbsp;June 18. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed a sum of Rs 4000 crore for the first set of farmers. The first phase is expected to benefit more than 8 lakh farmers. The government also added that about 80 per cent of the farmers will get their loan waiver amount by mid-November.

Chief minister Fadnavis had announced the loan waiver scheme in June. Claiming it to be &ldquo;biggest in history&rdquo; the state government then allotted Rs 34,000&nbsp;crore towards it. However, according to a recent report in Mint, the government is not sure about the real estimate of the fund to be extended for the loan waiver scheme as several amendments have been introduced since its announcement.

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<h5>The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators.</h5>
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The Maharashtra government was forced to introduce the farm loan waiving scheme after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after four months of wait. The government, in order to curb manual interventions, has devised an online application process. This will transfer the money directly to their bank accounts.

Over one lakh farmers are not entitled to receive funds from the scheme. The conditions laid down by the government restrict them from receiving compensation for their losses.&nbsp;Ajit Nawle, convener of the coordination committee of agitating farmers has said that these farmers&rsquo; will demand a case of cheating, murder and abetment of suicide to be filed against the government for the loss of farmer&#39;s life.

A report in Financial Express stated that many farmers in the first phase of the scheme have received certificates without the loan waiver amount in it. Citing a local news channel the report mentioned Dhondiba Laxman Patil and Santan Dumin Fernandes, farmers from Mugali village, Chandgad district, Kolhapur have received certificates without the amount.

The state government assented to the farmer&#39;s demands of waiving off the loan after several days of protest. The government implemented the first phase of the scheme after five months.&nbsp;Within two days&nbsp;of its implementation, it has received a set back from the very section of the society that it was launched for.

A similar farm loan waiving scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers&rsquo; loan, the state government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced &ldquo;Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana&rdquo; in April. The state government had allotted Rs 36000 crores for the same. The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September.However, the implementation of the scheme had left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They felt cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 and even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa.

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<h5>The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise.</h5>
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Shambhu Nath, a farmer in Barabanki spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, &ldquo;farmers of UP are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves&rdquo;. Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he was entitled to receive only the outstanding amount which amounted to Rs 12.

A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1-100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it. Clearing off the farmers&rsquo; outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers.&nbsp;However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government&rsquo;s flagship mission of waiving off farmer&rsquo;s loan.

The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. Since independence over 3 lakh&nbsp;farmers have ended their life. Natural calamities, drought and floods strike our country every year. Loan waiver is certainly not the only solution to farmers&rsquo; distress. Waiving off the loan is a short-term sustenance for their miseries. The government needs to address the root problem. They need to minimise the ever-growing devastation to agriculture and farmers of our country.&nbsp;

Inhuman treatment received by farmers in the name of loan write-offs

The Maharashtra government rolled out the first phase of its loan waiver scheme on June 18. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed a sum of Rs 4000 crore for the first set of farmers. The first phase is expected to benefit more than 8 lakh farmers. The government also added that about 80 per cent of the farmers will get their loan waiver amount by mid-November. Chief minister Fadnavis had announced the loan waiver scheme in June. Claiming it to be “biggest in history” the state government then allotted Rs 34,000 crore towards it. However, according to a recent report in Mint, the government is not sure about the real estimate of the fund to be extended for the loan waiver scheme as several amendments have been introduced since its announcement. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. × The Maharashtra government was forced to introduce the farm loan waiving scheme after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after four months of wait. The government, in order to curb manual interventions, has devised an online application process. This will transfer the money directly to their bank accounts. Over one lakh farmers are not entitled to receive funds from the scheme. The conditions laid down by the government restrict them from receiving compensation for their losses. Ajit Nawle, convener of the coordination committee of agitating farmers has said that these farmers’ will demand a case of cheating, murder and abetment of suicide to be filed against the government for the loss of farmer's life. A report in Financial Express stated that many farmers in the first phase of the scheme have received certificates without the loan waiver amount in it. Citing a local news channel the report mentioned Dhondiba Laxman Patil and Santan Dumin Fernandes, farmers from Mugali village, Chandgad district, Kolhapur have received certificates without the amount. The state government assented to the farmer's demands of waiving off the loan after several days of protest. The government implemented the first phase of the scheme after five months. Within two days of its implementation, it has received a set back from the very section of the society that it was launched for. A similar farm loan waiving scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers’ loan, the state government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced “Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana” in April. The state government had allotted Rs 36000 crores for the same. The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September.However, the implementation of the scheme had left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They felt cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 and even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa. The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. × Shambhu Nath, a farmer in Barabanki spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, “farmers of UP are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves”. Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he was entitled to receive only the outstanding amount which amounted to Rs 12. A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1-100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it. Clearing off the farmers’ outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers. However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government’s flagship mission of waiving off farmer’s loan. The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. Since independence over 3 lakh farmers have ended their life. Natural calamities, drought and floods strike our country every year. Loan waiver is certainly not the only solution to farmers’ distress. Waiving off the loan is a short-term sustenance for their miseries. The government needs to address the root problem. They need to minimise the ever-growing devastation to agriculture and farmers of our country.

How beneficial is loan waiver scheme?

Punjab today farmers protested over loan waiver.

They blocked the Amritsar-Delhi railway route at Manawala near Amritsar.&nbsp;

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Punjab: Farmers protesting over loan waiver block Amritsar- Delhi railway route at Manawala near Amritsar <a href="https://t.co/YLsfqd23L7">pic.twitter.com/YLsfqd23L7</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/913727253040701440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on Tuesday, the farmers in Punjab protested&nbsp;demanding a remunerative price for their crop.

The protestors accused the Punjab Government failing to resolve the farmers&#39; plight.

Farmers blocked route at Manawala near Amritsar

Punjab today farmers protested over loan waiver. They blocked the Amritsar-Delhi railway route at Manawala near Amritsar. Punjab: Farmers protesting over loan waiver block Amritsar- Delhi railway route at Manawala near Amritsar pic.twitter.com/YLsfqd23L7 — ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2017 × Earlier on Tuesday, the farmers in Punjab protested demanding a remunerative price for their crop. The protestors accused the Punjab Government failing to resolve the farmers' plight.

Punjab: Farmers protest over loan waiver, blocks Delhi-Amritsar railway route

Following&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh and Punjab&#39;s example, the&nbsp;Karnataka Congress government today announced crop&nbsp;loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000 per farmer.

The loan waiver will cost the state exchequer Rs 8,165 crore, PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
The move will help about 22,27,506 farmers who had&nbsp;taken&nbsp;loans of about Rs 10,736 crore from cooperative banks in the state.

&quot;Farmers are in distress. They have been demanding loan waiver. We have to respond to farmers, even though it will have an impact on state&#39;s finances,&quot; Congress chief minister Siddaramaiah said. 
 
He added that the Centre will now have to come to the rescue of farmers by waiving the loan obtained by them from nationalised and grameen banks.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah said the crop loan obtained by farmers from cooperative banks is just 20 per cent, the rest is from grameen, nationalised and others banks that come under the central government.

BJP&#39;s Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government was the first to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-first-cabinet-meet-up-cm-adityanath-waives-rs-36359-crore-in-farmer-loans-14176">waive off farmer loans</a>&nbsp;worth&nbsp;Rs 30,729 crores in April.&nbsp;

Punjab&#39;s Congress chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh had last week <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/17024">announced</a> total waiver of entire crop loans up to Rs. 2 lakh for small and marginal farmers up to five&nbsp;acres, and a flat Rs. 2 lakh relief for all other marginal farmers, irrespective of their loan amount.

BJP&#39;s Maharashtra government is also planning to announce a loan waiver before October 31, which is expected to benefit about 1.07 crore farmers with less than five acres of land.&nbsp;

Earlier in June, the Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel had said that unless the budgets of the state governments allow the fiscal space to waive off loans, it would be a risky path to tread on.

&ldquo;Past episodes in our country had shown that when there are significant fiscal slippages they do permeate to inflation sooner or later. So, it is a path that we need to tread very carefully and before it gets out of hand,&rdquo; he said.

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The waiver will cost Rs 8,165 crore to the Karnataka state?exchequer and?will help about 22,27,506 farmers

Following Uttar Pradesh and Punjab's example, the Karnataka Congress government today announced crop loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000 per farmer. The loan waiver will cost the state exchequer Rs 8,165 crore, PTI reported. The move will help about 22,27,506 farmers who had taken loans of about Rs 10,736 crore from cooperative banks in the state. "Farmers are in distress. They have been demanding loan waiver. We have to respond to farmers, even though it will have an impact on state's finances," Congress chief minister Siddaramaiah said. He added that the Centre will now have to come to the rescue of farmers by waiving the loan obtained by them from nationalised and grameen banks. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said the crop loan obtained by farmers from cooperative banks is just 20 per cent, the rest is from grameen, nationalised and others banks that come under the central government. BJP's Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government was the first to waive off farmer loans worth Rs 30,729 crores in April. Punjab's Congress chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh had last week announced total waiver of entire crop loans up to Rs. 2 lakh for small and marginal farmers up to five acres, and a flat Rs. 2 lakh relief for all other marginal farmers, irrespective of their loan amount. BJP's Maharashtra government is also planning to announce a loan waiver before October 31, which is expected to benefit about 1.07 crore farmers with less than five acres of land. Earlier in June, the Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel had said that unless the budgets of the state governments allow the fiscal space to waive off loans, it would be a risky path to tread on. “Past episodes in our country had shown that when there are significant fiscal slippages they do permeate to inflation sooner or later. So, it is a path that we need to tread very carefully and before it gets out of hand,” he said.

After Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, Congress-led Karnataka govt waives farm loan up to Rs 8,165 crore

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