Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday assured farmers that his Government would soon implement the promised farm-debt waiver scheme in about a months’ time while appealing them to not consider suicide or any other extreme step to escape their loan burden.
Pointing out that his Government has announced the waiving of crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh for small farmers, besides extending debt relief up to Rs 2 lakh provided to marginal farmers having total debt of over Rs 2 lakh each, he appealed to them not to commit suicide or take any other extreme step to escape their debt burdens.
The debt waiver scheme will be implemented in about a month’s time and the government will ensure that the loans of the farmers are paid, without necessitating any payment from them, he said.
The statement assumes significance as there are reports that distressed farmers in several parts of State have ended their lives because of debt burden.
Capt Amarinder, speaking at the Independence Day celebrations in Gurdaspur after unfurling the national flag, also announced the launch of a recruitment campaign for the government sector to fill all critical vacant posts.
‘Rozgar Melas’ (job fairs) would be held across the state to implement the poll promise of providing employment, he announced while also vowing to make Punjab a peaceful, healthy and prosperous State - “free from drugs and debt”.
Announcing Rs 2,500 crore annual repair programme for all link roads, Capt Amarinder said it would be launched shortly with the laying and repair of 22,870 kilometers of such roads in the State.
Each household in the State will have a toilet before December 31, he said adding that Rs 2,100 crore had been set aside to ensure complete facelift of schools besides providing the requisite infrastructure, while another Rs 806 crore had been allocated for upgradation of health infrastructure.