Akali Dal MP for easy settlement of farm debt

New Delhi, March 14

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Prem Singh Chandumajra today urged the government to provide adequate funds in the Budget for the welfare of the farming community which forms the backbone of the country.

Taking part in discussions on the Budget in the Lok Sabha, Chandumajra sought one-time settlement of loans taken by farmers who were facing financial crisis.

He said the government should frame farmer-friendly policies like the one framed by Sir Chhottu Ram who was once Agriculture Minister of the undivided Punjab to rescue the farming community from the clutches of moneylenders.

Elaborating on the issue, he said the legendary leader had formed a policy that the moneylender would not mortgage the land of farmers. Also that the payment by farmers against the loans would not be more than double the principal amount, he said.

He said similar steps were required to be taken by the government to ensure that the farmers were not made to pay double the principal amount of loans taken by them. — TNS