Manmohan promises help for farmers
Afp, New Delhi
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promised Friday his government will do all it can to help farmers in India's main cotton belt where crippling debts and falling prices have pushed many to suicide. "I want to assure you that both the Maharashtra government and the federal government will jointly find a solution to all problems with all sincerity," Singh told farmers in the badly-hit Vidarbha region of western Maharashtra state. "I am aware of your problems. I can understand the pain and anguish you have gone through." Singh made the comments at the start of a two-day visit to Vidarbha, during which he is slated to visit families of farmers who have ended their lives and who are still struggling to pay off debts. The premier was expected some time during the tour to announce a relief package of 40 billion rupees (865 million dollars) aimed at waiving off loans, improving irrigation and encouraging diversified farming, newspaper reports said. Alluding to the package but without giving details, the premier told farmers it would address several problems associated with the agricultural crisis. "I heard that irrigation means are not available. We will announce a package to improve the situation," he told the farmers. "I also heard that there should be alternative livelihoods. The package will also take care of that too." He said that he was confident that the situation in the region would improve, but it would take time. "I am confident that Vidarbha will improve and the phase you are going through now, you will not have to go through it again." Singh told farmers that the administration would also look at more immediate problems such as the lack of health facilities. Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who is accompanying the prime minister, acknowledged the situation was serious. "India is going through a severe agrarian crisis and yes, even if there is single suicide death, it disturbs everybody," Pawar told private CNN-IBN network ahead of the visit. The minister said the government will also provide seeds at a subsidised rate. Federal government officials say more than 8,900 farmers have committed suicide since 2001 in four states hardest hit by the ongoing agricultural crisis, including 980 in Maharashtra alone.
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