Man of few words, more action: Manmohan Singh gave pan-India Rs 71,000 crore farm debt waiver

BATHINDA: The central govt headed by Dr Manmohan Singh was the only one to give a farm debt waiver of Rs 71,000 crore in 2008, recalled farmers protesting for enactment of a law for MSP and a debt waiver for the past nearly 10 months.

Called “Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme”, it was the most pronounced debt waiver scheme announced at a pan-India level by then PM Dr Manmohan Singh. The first farm loan waiver was introduced in India in 1990 under the Agricultural and Rural Debt Relief providing relief to farmers for up to Rs 10,000 on select loans and nearly Rs 7,800 crore was disbursed. Despite not being held as a long-term solution to agrarian distress, farmers have again been raising the demand.

Farmer forums Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and SKM (Non-Political) coordinator Sarvan Singh Pandher said farm debt waiver is one of the main demands of the protesting farmers along with the legal guarantee on MSP. “We want the Centre to waive farmer loans to provide much-needed relief to them,” he said.
Former PM’s half-brother in disbelief

Surjit Singh Kohli, the half-brother of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, expressed disbelief over his death and said he was a father figure.

"I know he had experienced some palpitations and was admitted to AIIMS, and I am rushing to Delhi on Friday," he said, adding that he was in constant touch with his Dr Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur.

In a state of shock, Surjit said, “I may not be able to speak anymore.”
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