‘Ditched’ by govt, Capt’s debt waiver poster boy gets help from doc

BATALA: After the state government failed to waive the loan of Budh Singh, a Dera Baba Nanak farmer who became the poster boy of the Capt Amarinder Singh’s debt waiver announcement in the run-up to the 2017 assembly elections, a doctor and social worker came to his rescue by paying off ₹2 lakh he owed to a bank.

The manager of the Kotli Surat Malhi branch of Punjab Gramin Bank, Desh Raj, said Budh Singh in 2014 had taken crop loan of ₹3.50 lakh after pledging his 31 canal agricultural land.

“After Budh Singh didn’t pay any installment, the amount rose to ₹4.30 lakh. When the bank served him a notice a couple of month back, he paid ₹80,000. Dr Satnam Singh Nijjar paid ₹2 lakh on his behalf to the bank today,” the manager added.

Budh Singh said during the assembly election campaign, Amarinder Singh visited his house on October 16, 2016, and announced to start the ‘Karza Kurki Khatam, Fasal Di Poori Rakam’ scheme once his party came to power.

“Even my form was filled by Capt Amarinder Singh who assured that I will become the first farmer of Punjab whose loan would be waived. But after coming to power, the government failed to fulfill its promises. I was left in the lurch when the government refused to honour its commitment,” Budh Singh said.

Dr Nijjar said after Budh Singh’s case came to his notice, he enquired from the bank authorities about his loan status. “I came to know that the state government did not waive his loan since it was more than ₹2 lakh. I went to the bank to repay the amount (₹3.70 lakh) but the bank officials told me that if I repay ₹2 lakh, the rest of loan will come in the ambit of the government scheme and it will be waived in some days.”

“My father is also a marginal farmer. He once took a loan of ₹10,000 for my studies. I hope my contribution will a play a role in making the future of Budh Singh’s kids bright. Other social workers should also come to the rescue of distressed farmers,” he added.

Praising Dr Nijjar’s effort, Punjab jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is local MLA, said, “People like Dr Nijjar can given a new direction to the society. No government can run without the cooperation of its citizens.”