Opposition criticises govt over 'agrarian crisis'

NEW DELHI: Opposition today came down hard on the government for the " agrarian crisis" and demanded waiver of loans of farmers across the country and not only of those from Uttar Pradesh as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during campaigning.

During a debate on Demand for Grants for the Agriculture Ministry in the Lok Sabha, members from opposition parties said over 12,000 farmers had committed suicide last year and asked the government to come out with a concrete roadmap for resolving the increasing farm distress.

They said failure to do so may hit the entire economy.

Talking about suicide by farmers in Maharastra, Dhananjay Mahadik of NCP said the government must strongly support the farmers including extending crop insurance and putting in place an effective marketing system for their produce.

"The government must waive loans of all the farmers across the country to bring down the number of suicides," he said.

The MP from Maharastra also suggested serving of nuts to school children under the mid-day meal scheme, saying it may benefit the farmers. He also demanded supporting the dairy sector.

Congress member from Arunachal Ninong Ering said considering the rapid rate of farmers' suicide, no farmers will be left in the country for the government to double their income.

He asked, "Why have you said loans of farmers from UP only will be waived? Why are you not waiving loans of farmers from the North East, from Maharastra, from Jammu and Kashmir? Why are you adopting a selective approach?"