IT News
Imphal, Dec 22,
While appreciating the decision in various state of India to waive off loan from farmers after the result of the recently concluded state assembly election, CPI (M) Manipur state today urged the government to take up the similar measures terming it as a welcoming step.
“In the last couple of days governments in various Indian states after the recent State election results have waived-off loans to farmers which was a long pending genuine demand. It is a welcome step. Similar demands were made in Manipur by peasant organisations particularly by Manipur Loumee Marup where small farmers and agriculturists suffered huge losses due to the bad rainy season. This rainy season wreaked havoc on agricultural fields in many districts causing huge losses to the farmers”, said Kshetrimayum Santa, Secretary of the CPI (M) Manipur State Committee.
He further added that Peasant organisations had written to the state authorities bringing into their notice this alarming situation. However, unfortunately the demand of loan-waiver in Manipur has not been fulfilled till today.
It is high time that one-time waiver of KCC loans be provided to small farmers and agriculturists whose harvest was damaged by the bad rainy season. It would benefit lakhs of families who are directly or indirectly under tremendous pressure from the banks. The one-time KCC loan waiver can be considered as one of the components of the relief and rehabilitation plan that can give a sigh of relief to the farming community. The CPI- Secretary added.
He further stated that Agriculture is the backbone of State’s economy and the \bad rainy season has dealt a blow to it. Under prevailing circumstances, it is an obligation for the government to come to the support and succor of the farmers and agriculturists as they form the backbone of the state’s economy. Given the quantum of destruction caused and massive damage to paddy fields, the Government should provide compensation keeping in view the recurring losses to the farmers.
Due to huge losses in the production of food grains, farmers are not in a position to repay their loans raised against their farming land and agricultural fields.
“We demand loan waiver on specified amount of KCC in favour of those farmers and agriculturists who are not in position to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for their farms and agricultural fields”, Santa drew the attention of the government.
He however stated that there is also need for introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) as it can save the farmers and agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities. It is unfortunate that the said scheme is not implemented so far in Manipur .
