Openly defending the government’s move to waive off farmers loans, Manpreet Badal, minister in Punjab cabinet termed it as a good move to help the farmers and said that the step will ease their condition a little bit. This move by Punjab government has come at a time when the state government has a debt of over ₹1.95 lakh crores.
Manpreet Badal, a close aid of Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, bashed the criticisers who had commented stating that the farmers in Punjab are well off and do not need any kind of loan waiver. Also, the big debt on the state government was the reason of criticism, as this move will cost ₹22,000 crores to the state government.
Along with defending his government on the move, Manpreet Badal lashed out on the previous government. He alleged the previous government for ignoring the situation of the farmers and blamed the government for ₹31,000 fund, which was illegally sanctioned for food procurement.
Punjab government has announced waive off of ₹2 lakh for small and marginal farmers in the state. This includes all the farmers who own less than 5 acres of land. The waive off will be irrespective of the loan amount taken from the bank.