FARMER DISTRESS: LOAN WAIVER NOT PERFECT

Farm loan waiver is not the perfect solution for suicides of debtridden farmers. The proof of this is continuing suicides. These signal the hopelessness among farmers, who form 60% of the country’s population. Exorbitant interest rate from money lenders is killing the farmer. The agriculture policy needs to shift from its current bias of ‘Corporate-first’ to ‘Farmers-first’.

Vaibhav Sharma, via email

II

The Punjab government’s Rs 9,500-crore debt waiver for 18 lakh farmers is good, but it does not cover 15 lakh landless labourers. They must also be given the benefit. A survey of three universities has documented that of 7,000 farmers who committed suicide between 2000 and 2010, 3,000 were farm labourers. They need help in the form of increased MGNREGA wages of Rs 500 a day. Work must also be available a entire year. RS Sian, Patiala

III

Farmers’ agitation is spreading across the nation. For the common man, it is difficult to comprehend that why are things like milk, vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes being thrown on roads? Another thing that defeats understanding is suicides. Farmers who own land are ending their lives. People whom you normally see a struggling life like labourers, daily wager and petty shopkeepers seem to soldier on. Political parties need to speak on the behalf of farmers . Hardip Singh Bhengura, Gurdaspur