Ferozepur, December 13, 2017: The Punjab Government is backing out from its promises made with the people, said Gurmit Singh Mehma, President, Krantikari Bharti Kissan Union - KBKU and the Bharti Kissan Union - BKU while sitting on a dharna, despite the cold weather, in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner.
It looks like Punjab government pulling their self back from full farm debt waiver. Only debts of farms can be reduced but cannot waive fully.
Added here, the Cabinet in its meeting had decided that besides taking over the entire eligible loan amount of the farmers covered by the debt waiver scheme, the government would also take over the outstanding interest from April 1, 2017, till the date of notification. Based on the recommendations of an expert group headed by eminent economist Dr.T.Haque, the scheme will benefit directly nearly 10.25 lakh farmers across the state.
Addressing the protesters, Dalwinder Singh Sherkhan, State General Secretary, Krantikari Bharti Kissan Union said, the farmer-friendly organizations are fighting since long for waiving off of loans of the farmers and a massive rally was organized at Barnala followed by five days protest at Patiala and a memorandum was submitted to the government.
A meeting was called for all the organizations on November 10 with main demand of waiving off loans of the farmers but Capt Amarinder Singh left the meeting and now again in protest, the seven farmers organizations have started the campaign to register their protests, he further said.
The farmer leaders further said the decision of the government of waiving off only Rs.2 lakh loan amount is a mockery with the farmers.
Making it clear to the government that this protest will continue until such time the waiving off loan account is not squared up, said Balraj Singh Maloke.