`4 lakh farmer suicides, Rs 33.5L Cr debt’: Farmers react sharply to PM Modi’s statement on loan waiver

Shambhu: Farmers have reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on loan waiver in the Parliament.

Calling it disappointing, the farmers said that the 'government is reneging from its promise'.

The farmers are planning a massive rally on February 13, 2025, on the completion of one year of their agitation at the Shambhu border.

On February 13, 2024, the farmers had kicked off a massive agitation. On its first anniversary, farmers are planning to hold a massive rally at the Shambhu border. The farmers of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are expected to reach the border to protest against the policies and stand taken by the central government.

Modi govt did U-turn

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher from the Shambhu border said, "During the budget session question was raised about waiving of loans of farmers by Rajasthan MP Hanuman Beniwal, and in response to that the center said that there is no such plan. This is a U-turn from its promises made by BJP before forming the government in 2014."

Singh said, "Government has distanced itself from the commitments made by them.

Total farm debt

Total farmers' debt has reached Rs 33.5 lakh crores. The debt in Maharashtra alone is about 8 lakh crores. Punjab has a debt of one lakh crores of RS 85,000 crores are debts of co-operative banks. The debt of rural banks is about 10,000 crores.

"We want to discuss with the government the total debt and its waiver from farmers and laborers. This is what the agitating organizations have been asking for from the central government," farmer leaders said.

Unions demand discussion on debt

Kisan Majdoor Morcha has demanded that the government should come forward and discuss the financial crisis in the agriculture sector.

Farmers unions have pointed out that the debt of the 'corporate sector' has been written off by the government but there is no consideration for the crisis in the agriculture sector. This crisis is leading to suicides and that is leading to another socio-economic crisis in the agriculture sector.

Suicides according to govt data

Government data shows that in the last 10 years, 4 lakh farmers have committed suicide due to agriculture debt. The distress in the agriculture sector is high and there is no clear stand being taken by the government to control this crisis, said the farmers union.