AAP promises to waive off farmer’s debt, old age pension to be Rs.2000 PM

PURANA(Moga): Delhi Chief Minister and convener of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal today released the ‘farmers and farm labourers’ manifesto and promsied to waive off the debts of poor and marginal farmers and announced that Punjab farmers would be debt free by the end of 2018.
Kejriwal also announced to raise the old age pension from Rs.500 to Rs.2000 per month and payment of Rs.20000 per acre compensation for the damage of crops due to drought,floods,pest attack and unseasonal rains.The farmers whose land is beyond barbed wire on border would get Rs.10,000 per acre compensation every year.
Releasing the manifesto Kejriwal laid the blue print of loan waiver and said that Sri Chhotu Ram Act of 1934 on Moneylender’s debt would be reinacted. Kejriwal said that Act provides thagt under no circumstances the sum of interest would exceed the principal amount and the debts where farmers have paid a sum twice the amount of principal amount shall be deemed wholly discharged.
Kejriwal said that every property mortgaged by the debtor whose debt is deemed to discharged shall stand released automatically. No indebted faremrs would be dispossessed of land holding and house. He said that banks shall charge one percent above the bank base rate. He said that all loans small or big would be covered under the Act. The AAP government will also ensure registration of all moneylenders and borrowers would be issued passbooks.
The manifesto said that bank loans of poor farmers and farm labourers and SCs and BCs would also be waived off while interest of other loans would be waived. He said that a bank debt settlement committee will be set up to negotiate with banks.
Assuring to implement Swaminathan Commission Report, Kejriwal said that by the end of 2010 farmers will get price of cost plus 50 percent on the crops. He also promised to make payment within 24 hours of procurement of crops. While announcing free power to farmers, AAP leader also promised 12 hour power supply for farms.
He said that AAP would pay Shagun of Rs.51,000 and Rs.21,000 respectively at the time of marraige of a girl and at the time of birth of child.
AAP in its manifesto also promised ‘Pind Sehat Clinics’ (village clinic) in every village, free medical treatment in government hospitals and Rs.5 lakh cashless treatment in private hospitals on the pattern of Delhi. Sehat clinics would not charge anything for tests and medicine.
Kejriwal also promised collateral free education loan of Rs.10 lakhs to the wards of farmers and farm labourers.
Kejriwal said that time bound inquaries would be started against corrupt ministers like Agriculture minister Tota Singh, Food Supplies minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon,revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia and rural development minister Sikandar Singh Maluka. He said that those amassed properties by corrupt means would be sent to jail.
AAP convener said that all vacant posts of agriculture and horticulture inspectors would be filled and a ‘Kisan Mittar’ will be appointed in every village. The government would set up cold chain infrastructure in all 20 major fruit and vegetable markets and government run cold stores in all 22 districts. He also promised boost for cooperative movement without the interference of politicians.
Kejriwal said that all false cases registered agaisnt farmers and farm labourers by the SAD-BJP government would be withdrawn and fast track courts would be set up to fast track litigation of land disputes.
Kejriwal said that 25,000 new dairy farms would be set up with easy loans and government support.He said that a milk pricing board will also be set up. He also promised Rs.2 lakhs loan to landless farmers. He said that stray cattle sheds will also be set up.