Loan waiver not a solution to farmers' plight: CM

Akola, Maharashtra, Sep 9 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said loan waiver is not the remedy to halt farmers suicide in the Vidarbha region of the state.

Addressing a two-day state-level cotton conference at the Dr Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth here today, Mr Deshmukh said if the loan is waiving, the farmers will meet the same problem again and again. Loan waiver, therefore, is not a permamnent solution to the farmers problem, he added.

Mr Deshmukh urged the farmers to face the challenges bravely instead of committing suicide. He said interest on loans have been waived this year and the step has benefitted about ten lakh farmers in six districts of Vidarbha.

Painting an optimistic picture, Mr Deshmukh said, the face of Maharashtra would change once all the irrigation projects are completed. He, however, pointed out that Rs 43,000 crore are required to complete the pending projects. One the irrigation projects are completed, the state would come under 30 per cent irrigation, he said.

Meanwhile, while lamenting the low productivity of cotton in Maharashtra as compared to the national average, Mr Deshmukh urged the agricultural universities to pursue vigorous research towards enhancing the productivity.

Union Textiles Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, who was also present on the occasion, assured that the Centre will make all-out efforts to solve the genuine problems of the farmers.

UNI