INDIA Bloc Promises Debt Relief for Farmers: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: In a bold assertion, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi stated that the INDIA bloc is committed to lifting farmers out of the debt trap by providing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). His remarks came as he congratulated Telangana farmers on the commencement of the second phase of the state’s crop loan waiver scheme, which boasts an outlay exceeding Rs 6,198 crore, set to benefit around 6.4 lakh farming families.

“Congratulations once again to the farmer brothers and sisters of Telangana. As per its manifesto promise, the Telangana government has released the second tranche of the farm loan waiver,” Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi.

The “Prajalu Congress government” is offering relief to 6.4 lakh farmer families by waiving loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Gandhi emphasized that, unlike the BJP, which has kept farmers entangled in debt without addressing their demands for a legal MSP guarantee, the Congress party is actively working to support agricultural families wherever possible. He reassured that the INDIA bloc is dedicated to extricating farmers from the debt trap by offering them the powerful tool of legal MSP guarantees.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched the second phase of the crop loan waiver scheme with over Rs 6,198 crore in funding. This phase of the program aims to alleviate the financial burden on farmers who have taken loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh.

The second phase of the scheme was initiated during an event at the legislative assembly premises, marking another milestone in the state’s commitment to agricultural welfare. The first phase, launched on July 18, had already waived loans for farmers who borrowed up to Rs 1 lakh.

Gandhi’s comments underscore the contrasting approaches of the Congress and BJP towards agricultural policy. While the BJP has faced criticism for keeping farmers in a cycle of debt and neglecting the demand for a legally guaranteed MSP, the Congress party is taking proactive measures to support farmers and reduce their financial burdens.

The Telangana government’s loan waiver scheme is a significant step towards providing much-needed financial relief to the farming community, which is often plagued by debt and uncertainty. By waiving loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh, the state aims to ensure that farmers can focus on their crops without the looming threat of debt.

This initiative aligns with the broader vision of the INDIA bloc, which seeks to transform the agricultural landscape of India by implementing policies that directly benefit farmers. The legal guarantee for MSP, as advocated by Gandhi, is seen as a critical measure to secure fair prices for farmers’ produce, thereby ensuring their economic stability and growth.

The announcement of the second phase of the loan waiver scheme has been met with positive responses from the farming community in Telangana. It represents a continuation of the state’s efforts to provide comprehensive support to its farmers, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the overall growth of the agricultural sector.

As the debate over agricultural policies continues, the commitment of the INDIA bloc to provide a legal guarantee for MSP and its support for loan waiver schemes highlight the party’s dedication to addressing the challenges faced by farmers across the country. With initiatives like these, the INDIA bloc aims to bring about a transformative change in the lives of millions of farmers, ensuring their prosperity and well-being.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asserted that the INDIA bloc would pull farmers out of the debt trap by providing them with the “weapon” of legal guarantee for MSP.

Indian student dies in US