Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced that if the Congress wins the upcoming state assembly elections and returns to power, it will forgive the loans of farmers. The Congress had made a similar promise to farmers before the 2018 state assembly elections. It is believed that this pledge played a significant role in the party's victory, ending the Bharatiya Janata Party's 15-year rule in the state.
The Baghel government had earlier stated that it had fulfilled its 2018 promise and waived off Rs 9,270 crore worth of agricultural loans for 18.82 lakh farmers in the state. Voting for all 90 state assembly seats will take place in two phases on November 7 and 17. Addressing a gathering in the state's Raipur assembly constituency, Baghel appealed to people to vote for Congress once again and assured that if the party comes to power, it will waive the loans of farmers. He said, "We have already promised that we will purchase 20 quintals (per acre) of paddy from farmers. A lot of guarantees need to be given. I am here in Sakati, the abode of power, and the power of the people is here. In Sakati, we need to empower farmers. I am announcing through the platform that, as was done in the past, farmers' loans will be forgiven when the government is formed again." Taking aim at the BJP, Baghel said that if they (the BJP) accidentally come to power, neither will 20 quintals of paddy per acre be purchased, nor will the Swami Atmanand schools be operated.
When asked about the necessity of loan waivers for farmers after they receive input subsidies under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana in the state, the Chief Minister stated, "When farmers are empowered, the country's economy becomes stronger. Over the past five years, we have seen that Chhattisgarh has experienced business growth, and there has been no impact of economic downturn. The money that has gone into the accounts of farmers has reached the market, but when we give money to big industrialists, it does not circulate in the market." On being asked whether he views loan waiver promises as a 'Brahmastra' (ultimate weapon), he responded, "No, we don't believe in violence. If a 'Brahmastra' is unleashed, it takes someone's life, and we do not believe in violence. We believe in sharing happiness. You can see the joy on the faces of 36.50 lakh farmers and their families after the loan waiver promise.
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