Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Apr 18: Suggesting Government to constitute district and divisional level Committees to redress issues of farmers in Jammu division, Former Minister and senior J&K Apni Party leader, Manjit Singh has appealed Government not to charge interest on Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) loans, and electricity pumps in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also demanded release of pending compensation of farmers who lost their basmati rice crop, last year.
In a statement, today Manjit Singh expressed concern over the plight of the farmers in Jammu and Kashmir who have pinned their hopes with the J&K Government and Lt Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu.
He appealed that the Government should release the pending compensations in favour of the farmers who have lost their Basmati rice crops and were assured adequate compensation by the Government.
“A year has passed, but the promise has not been fulfilled. The farmers in the ongoing lockdown are facing starvation like situation,” he said, while highlighting the suffering of the farmers along the International Border and other places in Jammu and Kashmir.
The former Minister said that the Government should frame policy for the welfare of the farmers involving their representatives at the district and divisional level so that their issues can be addressed as early as possible.
“The interest of Kissan Credit Card loan should also not be charged from these poor people who are dependent upon their fields and at present times, they are passing through the hardships. KCC loan interest should be waived off,” he said, adding that the electricity charges on pump sets should also not be charged from them.
When they have not used these things, he said, how they can be able to pay charges for these things.
When Government has given relaxation to the business houses, why the poor farmers cannot be considered in Government’s scheme, he questioned.
He said that the Government should seriously think on the issues of farmers community who are the backbone of economy of not only Jammu and Kashmir, but of the entire country.
“We grow world class Basmati in our fields. Our farmers have made us proud. At the moment of crises, we must stand with them and give them all relaxations possible under the law,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel