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Punjab CM launches debt relief scheme for farm labourers and landless farmers

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Rajan Nath
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Punjab CM launches debt relief scheme for farm labourers and landless farmers
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Asserting his continued support to the farmers agitating against the three Black Farm Laws, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday launched a Rs 520 crore debt relief scheme for 2.85 lakh farm labourers and landless farmers. “I hope and wish a day will come when India will be free from poverty,” said the Chief Minister.
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Also Read | Afghanistan: People hang on flying aircraft in hurry to leave the country, two of them fall Ready to resign or be dismissed than bow to injustice to farmers': Capt Amarinder Singh | Cities News,The Indian Express Captain Amarinder Singh said the government had decided to waive off loans amounting to Rs 520 crores of farm labourers and landless farmers with respect to the principal amount against their cooperative loans as of July 31, 2017, and simple interest @ 7.00% p.a. on the above amount till March 6, 2019. Also Read | Afghanistan-Taliban News: Taliban leader Mullah Baradar says ‘victory was unexpectedly swift’
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publive-image It is noteworthy that the state government had earlier waived off Rs 4700 crore worth of loans (up to Rs 2 lakh of crop loans each) for 5.85 lakh Small and Marginal farmers. Declaring that his “heart is with the farmers who are protesting at the Delhi borders”, the Chief Minister made it clear that he does not agree with the stand taken by the central government, who are not listening to the farmers. “We have amended the Constitution 127 times, so why are we not doing it now? Why is the Government of India standing on prestige on the issue of the Farm Laws,” he asked, adding that he had categorically urged the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to repeal the legislations.” The Chief Minister said he had been asked to stop Punjab farmers from going to Delhi “but I never stopped as everyone has the right to protest in the national capital; protest is a democratic right.” publive-image “These small farmers are not fighting for themselves but for their coming generations,” he said, questioning why the Centre could not see the pain of the protesting farmers. These farmers are mostly those who own an average of 2.5 acres of land, he pointed out, recalling that during a visit to Poland long back he had seen that country increasing the land ceiling from the existing 40 acres to 100 acres as families could not feed themselves with such small land holdings. “So you can imagine what will happen to those who have just 2.5 acres,” he remarked, asking “how will they feed their families if the new laws are imposed on them?” Meanwhile, the farmers are questioning the Punjab government on its debt relief scheme. They said that the government had promised a full waiver but all they launched is Rs 520 crore debt relief scheme. -PTC News-
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