10-01-2006, 01:31 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Centre leaves farmers in lurch </b>
Pioneer News Service | Chandigarh
The Punjab farmers are shell shocked by the Central Government's decision not to include them in the Rs 16,978.69 crore rehabilitation package announced for farmers in 31 suicide-prone districts in four States.
The announcement has left the Punjab Congress in doldrums for the very reason that the party will be facing the electorate early next year during the general assembly elections. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had visited Punjab on September 27 and 28, did not announce any relief package for the farmers despite expectations.
A day before PM's visit to Punjab, State Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had appealed for a special package for small and marginal farmers of State who are passing through difficult times. In response to his appeal, the Prime Minister had only said that the problem of loans and debt was being considered and solutions would be brought out soon.
The problem of debt is accentuated by suicides in this agricultural State. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Shamsher Singh Dullo, however, said yesterday that the Prime Minister was expected to announce a package during his next visit to Punjab on October 28. <b>Punjab farmers are in collective debt of Rs 24,000 crore and political parties cutting across party lines have been demanding a relief package for farmers. </b>
<b>The Prime Minister has indeed given an opportunity to main opposition party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to beat the Congress with its own stick. </b>
SAD secretary and party spokesman GS Cheema said that it was most unfortunate that the Centre Government had ignored the Punjab farmers who have been committing suicides under frustration.
He said that thousands of farmers had during the past few years ended their lives.
<b>He cited the report released by Inderjit Singh Jaijy, convenor, Movement Against State Repression which said that during 1997 to 2005 approximately 4,000 Punjab farmers had committed suicide.</b>
Cheema said that Congress party had betrayed the farmers of Punjab who are indebted by Rs 24,000 crore, according to Government figures. He said that moneylenders had been exploiting farmers in the absence of any legislature to keep check on high interest rates.
Prof Balwant Singh, Punjab CPM General Secretary said that it was sorry state of affairs on agriculture front.
He said time was not far when Punjab farmers would be seen begging on streets. He said that Congress Government had on one hand failed to protect the interests of farmers and on other hand it has done nothing to bring industry into Punjab to provide an alternative to farmers.
He said that Punjab was also ignored in industrial package given to neighbouring Himachal Pradesh Government.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Most pampered farmers are asking relief. Punjab famers should visit Central and south India to see hardship from their own eyes.
Pioneer News Service | Chandigarh
The Punjab farmers are shell shocked by the Central Government's decision not to include them in the Rs 16,978.69 crore rehabilitation package announced for farmers in 31 suicide-prone districts in four States.
The announcement has left the Punjab Congress in doldrums for the very reason that the party will be facing the electorate early next year during the general assembly elections. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had visited Punjab on September 27 and 28, did not announce any relief package for the farmers despite expectations.
A day before PM's visit to Punjab, State Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had appealed for a special package for small and marginal farmers of State who are passing through difficult times. In response to his appeal, the Prime Minister had only said that the problem of loans and debt was being considered and solutions would be brought out soon.
The problem of debt is accentuated by suicides in this agricultural State. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Shamsher Singh Dullo, however, said yesterday that the Prime Minister was expected to announce a package during his next visit to Punjab on October 28. <b>Punjab farmers are in collective debt of Rs 24,000 crore and political parties cutting across party lines have been demanding a relief package for farmers. </b>
<b>The Prime Minister has indeed given an opportunity to main opposition party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to beat the Congress with its own stick. </b>
SAD secretary and party spokesman GS Cheema said that it was most unfortunate that the Centre Government had ignored the Punjab farmers who have been committing suicides under frustration.
He said that thousands of farmers had during the past few years ended their lives.
<b>He cited the report released by Inderjit Singh Jaijy, convenor, Movement Against State Repression which said that during 1997 to 2005 approximately 4,000 Punjab farmers had committed suicide.</b>
Cheema said that Congress party had betrayed the farmers of Punjab who are indebted by Rs 24,000 crore, according to Government figures. He said that moneylenders had been exploiting farmers in the absence of any legislature to keep check on high interest rates.
Prof Balwant Singh, Punjab CPM General Secretary said that it was sorry state of affairs on agriculture front.
He said time was not far when Punjab farmers would be seen begging on streets. He said that Congress Government had on one hand failed to protect the interests of farmers and on other hand it has done nothing to bring industry into Punjab to provide an alternative to farmers.
He said that Punjab was also ignored in industrial package given to neighbouring Himachal Pradesh Government.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Most pampered farmers are asking relief. Punjab famers should visit Central and south India to see hardship from their own eyes.