Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh on 17th January indicated announcement of important measures in the coming weeks to deal with farm distress across India, a move that will come prior to the Lok Sabha elections.
Sources informed that the Agriculture Ministry has made a cabinet note on ‘addressing income deficit syndrome of small as well as marginal farmers’ suggesting various steps that includes a financial package and interest waiver for timely crop loan re-payers.
They said a draft note has been made after conducting several meetings with the PMO officials, Agriculture and Finance Ministries and the Niti Aayog.
Singh, when asked if the Cabinet is ready with a big farm package, said, “Everyone will get to know when it will be announced. And every year before or during the budget, we have brought something new for the farmers. Certainly, there will be something for farmers this time too."
It is important to mention that the NDA government has announced something new for the farming community every year since past four-and-half years.
Sanjay Agarwal, Agriculture Secretary, who was also present there, refused to give details clarifying that the Ministry, was not involved directly in the matter.
Previously speaking at the silver jubilee celebration of the Small Farmers' Agri business Consortium (SFAC), Agriculture Minister said PM Modi is personally checking all the agricultural schemes and plans.
He said, "As a result, many schemes are helping the farming community. But, some (Opposition parties) still inquire. ...Sloganeering alone will not benefit the cultivators," highlighting the improved budget allocated for them in the past four-and-half years.
He also said, "We are moving ahead with full confidence and by December end (this year), every farm field will get water and power”.
The Centre is addressing the farmers' issues seriously after being defeated by the opposition Congress party in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the recent state elections, where rural anguish was a key factor.
