07-24-2006, 11:38 PM
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Govt unable to help farmers: Deshmukh
- Priyanka Kakodkar, Sandeep Bhushan
Monday, July 24, 2006 (Mumbai):
Three weeks ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in Maharashtra where he announced a Rs 4000 crore package for debt ridden farmers in Vidharbha.
But Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today admitted that the suicide crisis is far from over with 60 farmers having taken their lives since the Prime Minister's visit to the affected region.
"We are doing our best, both the Centre and the State is doing what it can. It's true the suicides are not reducing. Whatever help we are giving, we have not been able to solve the problem or fully control it. We are looking for suggestions," said Deshmukh.
Advance bonus
The statement comes as a stunning admission by Maharashtra's Chief Minister that his government has been unable to control the rising tide of farmer suicides in the state's cotton belt.
Everyone is surprised by Deshmukh's claim that he needs suggestions on how to stop the deaths. Those suggestions have been made again and again by farmers, experts and journalists.
What the Prime Minister could have done was restore the advance bonus on cotton, Rs 500 a quintal. Suicides peaked after the state withdrew this bonus in 2005.
Although the package offered interest waivers on loans, massive debts still remain and farmers were counting on at least a partial debt waiver.
Principal amount
The package does not speak of raising import duties on cotton to protect the local market even though the glut of cotton imports has led to a crash in cotton prices.
"There are problems. Party workers and others say that it is not enough to waive interest rates. For actual benefit the principal amount should be written off," said Vilas Muttemwar, MoS, Non-Conventional Energy.
Critics tracking this issue say they are not surprised because the PM's package and even the state's own Vidarbha package earlier did not address the farmers' core concerns.
They also add that the packages do not matter when the policy affecting farmers remains unchanged.
Govt unable to help farmers: Deshmukh
- Priyanka Kakodkar, Sandeep Bhushan
Monday, July 24, 2006 (Mumbai):
Three weeks ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in Maharashtra where he announced a Rs 4000 crore package for debt ridden farmers in Vidharbha.
But Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today admitted that the suicide crisis is far from over with 60 farmers having taken their lives since the Prime Minister's visit to the affected region.
"We are doing our best, both the Centre and the State is doing what it can. It's true the suicides are not reducing. Whatever help we are giving, we have not been able to solve the problem or fully control it. We are looking for suggestions," said Deshmukh.
Advance bonus
The statement comes as a stunning admission by Maharashtra's Chief Minister that his government has been unable to control the rising tide of farmer suicides in the state's cotton belt.
Everyone is surprised by Deshmukh's claim that he needs suggestions on how to stop the deaths. Those suggestions have been made again and again by farmers, experts and journalists.
What the Prime Minister could have done was restore the advance bonus on cotton, Rs 500 a quintal. Suicides peaked after the state withdrew this bonus in 2005.
Although the package offered interest waivers on loans, massive debts still remain and farmers were counting on at least a partial debt waiver.
Principal amount
The package does not speak of raising import duties on cotton to protect the local market even though the glut of cotton imports has led to a crash in cotton prices.
"There are problems. Party workers and others say that it is not enough to waive interest rates. For actual benefit the principal amount should be written off," said Vilas Muttemwar, MoS, Non-Conventional Energy.
Critics tracking this issue say they are not surprised because the PM's package and even the state's own Vidarbha package earlier did not address the farmers' core concerns.
They also add that the packages do not matter when the policy affecting farmers remains unchanged.