Loan Waiver for 16 lakh farmers in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced to waive off farm loans to the tune of 6,100 crore rupees of more than 16 lakh farmers. Addressing a press conference after the first cabinet meeting last night, he said it has been decided to waive off all short-term loans availed by farmers from cooperative and Rural development banks.

Baghel said his predecessor Raman Singh lost the elections as he had failed to address the needs of farmers, peasants and workers. "Massive corruption took place in his reign," Baghel added. "All these things went against him and the people voted against the government."

The state cabinet also decided to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the deadly Maoist attack at Jheeram ghati in Bastar in May, 2013 which claimed 29 lives. Chhattisgarh cabinet also decided to provide 2,500 rupees per quintal to farmers for their paddy being sold under Minimum support price scheme.

The Congress swept Chhattisgarh in the Assembly elections, winning 68 out of 90 seats to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party, which had been in power for 15 years. Baghel won from Patan by 27,477 votes.

(Featured image : The Hindu)