"Babu Jagjivan Ram had strong commitment to farmers"

Hyderabad, Apr 19 (UNI) National Commission on Farmers Chairman Dr M S Swaminathan today emphasised the need to humanise the government's programmes and formulate policies for the welfare of farm women in the country.

Participating in a national conference on ''Babu Jagjivan Ram's Contribution to National Building'' here, Commission Chairman Dr Swaminathan said in the world every fourth farmer was Indian.

In a country like India, everybody should be concerned about agriculture. ''The government should humanise programmes and formulate policies for the welfare of farm women in the country''.

Dr Swaminathan said many policies made by the government would not reach farm women. Kisan credit cards were given to only two per cent of women. ''We cannot ignore the welfare of the farming community'', he said.

Referring to Babu Jagjivan Ram, Dr Swaminathan said he was a great patriot with tremendous political wisdom. 'He was a brilliant administrator with deep social commitment. His contribution towards food security and national soveregnity was note worthy'.

Dr Swaminathan said Mr Babu Jagjivan Ram had a vision for human-centred development in the country. He had a strong commitment for welfare of farmers in the country.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and daughter of the great patriot, Meira Kumar, said her father fought for the eradication of casteism in the country in his own way. Her father was supported by his parents to get education at a time when his counterparts were sent for bonded labour. 'My father excelled in studies and proved he was second to none'.

Ms Meira said her father was already into active politics in Bihar in 1937. Later, he was invited to join the Congress and had a long career in Parliament for three decades, he added.

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