Ferozepur, May 24, 2018: The Cooperation and Jail Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa presided over a District level debt relief function held here today at green fields resort, Faridkot Road. The function was held as part of the campaign of the Punjab Government to waive off the debt of farmers. The minister distributed debt relief certificates to the farmers in the presence of MLA Ferozepur Urban Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki, MLA Mr. Kulbir Singh Zira, Mr. Jasmel Singh Laadi Gehri and Mr. Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa.
The minister in his address on the occasion said that the promise made before the polls with regard to the waiving off the farm loans has now been fulfilled by the Congress government led by the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh. Adding further, he said that today the loans worth Rs. 58.73 crores of the 8991 marginal farmers belonging to District Ferozepur having less than 2 and a half acres of land and who had taken loans up to Rs. 2 lakh from the cooperative banks have been waived off. The minister also said that the amount of debt waiver would be directly credited to the bank accounts of the farmers. He also added that in case any farmer is left out of the ambit of the scheme from deriving benefits then survey of such farmers would be done and loans would be waived off. He also said that the 2nd phase of the scheme would soon commence after completion of the 1st phase.
S. Randhawa further elaborated that the previous regime merely indulged in paying lip service to people's causes while the present dispensation has actually implemented the debt waiver scheme in favour of the farming community. He exhorted the farmers to courageously face the difficulties of life and assured that the State Government stands shoulder to shoulder with them as regards their welfare.
Coming to the state of jails, S. Randhawa said that now the condition of jails have been made much better with attention being paid to the aspects such as living conditions and quality of food. He also added that checks are being conducted at regular intervals in the jails across the state and the shortcomings rectified. He also made it clear that the menace of corruption and drugs inside the jails would not be tolerated.
The minister elaborated that the Union Government leave alone waiving off the loan of Punjab, imposed recovery worth Rs. 31000 crore of procuring agencies on the state which is the gross injustice. He also said that the Akalis ruined Punjab economically while on the other hand, the Congress government is trying to bring the economy back on track while also initiating public welfare schemes at large scale.
Addressing on the occasion MLA Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki said that the novel schemes chalked out by the Captain Amarinder Singh led the government to bring the farmers out of economic morass would strengthen the economic condition of the farming sector. He also said that the promises made before the elections by Captain Amarinder Singh would be made good phasewise. He further detailed that the debt waiver scheme has been implemented with bias and no eligible farmer would be left out from deriving its benefits. He also brought to light certain issues of his constituency.
The MLA from Zira Mr. Kulbir Singh Zira in his address said that the debt waiver is the result of the pro-people thinking of Captain Amarinder Singh and would place the economic condition of the farmers on solid grounds thus leading to the development of Punjab. He also demanded from the Cooperation Minister restarting of the sugar mill at Zira closed since long.
Among others who addressed on the occasion included Congress leader Mr. Jasmel Singh Ladi Gehri and District Congress President Mr. Chamkaur Singh Dhindsa who said that the farmers didn't face any problem after the Congress government took over and the smooth lifting of both wheat and paddy has been ensured with support price being paid to the farmers. They also thanked the Chief Minister for the debt waiver scheme.
Among others present on the occasion included ex-minister Mr. Inderjit Singh Zira, Commissioner Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ramvir, SSP Mr. Pritam Singh, MD Punjab State Cooperative Bank Dr. S.K. Batish, Manager Mr. Veer Singh Sandhu, Former MLA Mr. Gurneb Singh Brar and officers of the various departments besides members of the cooperative societies.