Punjab CM sets up five member house committee to cover landless farm labourers under debt waiver scheme

CHANDIGARH : Punjab Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh today said that state government has no record of landless farm labourers who could not be covered under farmers debt waiver scheme.
Chief minister was responding to criticism by farm organisations and opposition parties who said landless farmers and labourers who are under debt were not given any relief. Chief minister said five member panel will collect data of number of landless farm labourers and amount of debt on them and suggest solution.
Chief minister also clarified on media reports that only Rs 1500 crore had been earmarked in the budget which is inadequate for complete loan waiver. Chief Minister said it was initial amount and it is the responsibility of government to arrange funds. He said the government will take over bank loans of farmers and paid back to banks in installments in four to five years. Chief minister said according to expert panel 8.75 lakh small and marginal farmers are under debt and a sum of Rs 9500 crores is required for it. He said the expert panel has been given 60 days time to further study the means of fund raising. He said there were different opinions about loan waiver but government is very clear on it.