Farmers express disappointment over Centre’s statement on loan waivers in Parliament
Ferozepur/Shambhu, February 4, 2025: The central government’s response in Parliament regarding farmers' loan waivers has sparked disappointment among farmer leaders. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a key leader of the Delhi Protest 2, criticized the government's stance, calling it a betrayal of its 2014 election promises.
During the ongoing Budget Session, Rajasthan MP Hanuman Beniwal raised the issue of waiving farmers' loans. In response, the Centre stated that no such scheme was under consideration. This response was strongly condemned by the leadership of Delhi Protest 2, highlighting that the government has distanced itself from its commitments.
Pandher pointed out that India's total farm debt has reached ₹33.5 lakh crore, with Maharashtra alone accounting for nearly ₹8 lakh crore. In Punjab, farmers owe over ₹1 lakh crore, including debts from private banks exceeding ₹85,000 crore, cooperative bank loans surpassing ₹10,000 crore, and rural bank loans making up the remainder.
Despite holding discussions with protesting farmers' unions, the government has not addressed the crucial demand for complete debt relief. Pandher stressed that over 4 lakh farmers have committed suicide due to debt burdens, a crisis that continues unabated. He further criticized the government’s economic policies, stating that while corporate loans worth lakhs of crores are being written off, common people receive nothing but empty assurances.
The Union Budget has also come under fire, with Pandher arguing that the farming sector has been neglected. Experts recommend allocating at least 5% of the budget to agriculture, gradually increasing it to 50%, but the current budget lacks adequate provisions for the sector.
As the Shambhu Border Protest completes one year on February 13, Pandher has called for a massive gathering, urging people from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to participate in large numbers.