Farmers' body demands waiver of loans in Kalahandi

The Pioneer,Nov 8,2007

Pioneer News Service | Kalahandi

The Kisan-Khet Mazdoor Congress (KKMC), under the banner of the Kalahandi District Congress Committee, organised a procession from the Congress office to the Collectorate here and held a public meeting on Tuesday, protesting against the waiver of Rs 2,300 crore to the IMFA Group, demanding waiving of banking loans outstanding against the farmers and to streamline procurement of paddy and cotton in Kalahandi.

The president of Kisan-Khet Mazdoor Congress said that an equal amount of agriculture credit is outstanding against farmers and as they are defaulters they are not entitled to get fresh loans.

This is affecting the farmer's economic condition and their distressed condition is forcing them to commit suicide. So the waiving of all the loans to farmers is demanded by the organisation.

Paddy is the main crop of Kalahandi and cotton is the main cash crop.

However, no full proof system has not been taken up to systematise their procurement in the district. This is resulting in harassment of farmers and exploitation by unscrupulous traders, Kisan-Khet Mazdoor Congress alleged.

The organisation submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the ADM with a request for completion of the ongoing and proposed irrigation projects and to repair and renovate lift irrigation points which have been damaged by floods, the district is witnessing every year.