CHARAN KAMAL SINGH

Chandigarh, Jan. 12 :While the Punjab government has started debt waive in Punjab, however the farmers of Punjab are not so happy with this. Punjab Congress party announced before the Vidhan Sabha elections that if it comes to power, the party will for sure bring Dept waiver for the farmers of Punjab. The farmers were very happy with the Congress party’s announcement and brought it into power voting heavily for Congress. However after 10 months of Congress government in Punjab the debt waiver has not come up to the expectations of the farmers who were expecting full waiver of their debt.

Presently almost every farmer in Punjab has a debt of rupees 5 to 8 lakh. The most interesting part is that most of the farmers in Punjab have 2 to 3 acres of land and they have taken loan not only for the crop but also for making their houses, buying Tractors or other vehicles and so on. Moreover they have also purchased seeds on higher rates as desi seeds are no more available to them.
It is very interesting to note here that while the rate of potato has decreased to 1 to 2 rupees per kg and the farmers are forced to destroy there production, the potato chips being are being sold at rupees 20 for per 200 grams. This is a mockery on farmers that they are not given full value of their production. Even the Swaminathan report is not being implemented by the Indian Govt. which suggests full value for crop for the farmer.