NDA govt neglected farmers: Sonia Gandhi

Sangli, Maharashtra, Mar 17 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today alleged that the erstwhile BJP-led NDA government had neglected the agricultural sector leading to the sad plight of farmers.

The negligence had forced the farmers to take loans and, subsequently, commit suicide as they were unable to repay back their loans, Ms Gandhi alleged while addressing a rally here.

Under such circumstances, the UPA government took the historic decision to waive off loans of farmers, Ms Gandhi said.

While the loan waiver has been welcomed by every section of the society, the Opposition parties were carrying on a false propaganda just for the sake of opposing and to gain political mileage, she charged.

Ms Gandhi said she will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urge him to make provisions for those farmers who have not come under the ambit of the loan waiver scheme, including farmers from Maharashtra's Vidharba and Marathwada regions.

The congress president stressed that the Congress has always stood behind the farmers. But, apart from the Rs 60,000 crore loan waiver for farmers, the government has also taken important decisions to benefit every strata of society. Important decisions have been taken for the welfare of employees and weaker sections, as also for national security and the education field, she said.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh also spoke on the occasion.

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