Rajnath demands white paper on condition of farmers

Bhopal, May 9 (UNI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today demanded that the Centre issue a white paper on the increased number of suicides by farmers in the country and steps taken to control them.

Mr Singh told reporters here that faulty economic policies of the Centre had forced the farmers to commit suicide.

''According to a central report, thousands of farmers were forced to commit suicide because of poor financial condition,'' he said.

Mr Singh said it was not possible to strengthen the economy of the country without improving the lot of farmers, who were both producers and consumers.

The BJP leader said the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government had formed the Agriculture Commission for improving the condition of farmers.

The Centre had received the report of the Commission. However, it was unfortunate that its recommendations were not being followed.

He praised the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh Government, saying that even the common man could easily approach the Chief Minister, who listened to their problems seriously.

Replying to a question, Mr Singh said the BJP-ruled state government was doing a good job and progressing towards fulfilling poll promises.

UNI