Prime
Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, terming the announcement of waiving
off of farmers' loans as historic, said the move would open
new way for the farmers to take loans and give boost to the
agriculture operations. Replying to the address of President,
during vote of thanks, he rebuked the former National Democratic
Alliance govt, saying by waiving off the farmers' loans, we
have brought to an end their burden of loans. He said the
other parties which ruled the nation did nothing for the welfare
of the farmers and hence they have no right to claim that
they are also their well-wishers. Prime Minister's reply is
wholly centred on agriculture and farmers. It can be deduced
that his speech is influenced with a view to coming Vidhan
Sabha polls in states and the Lok Sabha election. Blaming
the state governments for the poor condition of the farmers,
the PM said that the agriculture growth rate from 1980-81
to 1996-97 was only 3.5 percent. It went down to 2.3 per cent
during the period 1996-97 to 2003-04 when the NDA government
was in power. The agriculture sector received low investment
in these years. When the UPA government came to power the
agriculture sector was in a bad condition. Due to the persistent
efforts of the UPA govt the agriculture growth rate has reached
up to 4 per cent. For overall development reforms in agriculture
sector are essential. Prime Minister said that when the farmers
of the country become prosperous, the whole country would
be termed prosperous. Those who ignored the farmers and the
agriculture sector and went for export of foodgrains have
no right to raise fingers against the UPA government. In his
one-hour speech the Prime Minister did not talk over other
burning issues but confined himself to the agriculture sector
and farmers. For in an election year how can the party in
power overlook the interests of a huge section of the vote
bank?
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