Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has favoured the formation of an expert committee with representatives of all parties and farmers to guide the government on the issues pertained to the farming community, including waiver of loans taken by farmers.
“Maintaining fiscal discipline is also one of the major concerns,” he said, adding that the panel would help balance financial concerns and farmers’ interests.
Citing examples of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waiving ₹72,000 crore worth of farm loans during the tenure of the UPA government at the Centre and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah waiving cooperative loans to the tune of ₹8,165 crore in August last, Mr. Parameshwara said that despite a delegation from the State meeting him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had refused to respect the demand of the farmers.
He said the JD(S)-Congress coalition government is committed to the promise made by both parties on waiving of farm loans. He added that the two parties want to prove that a coalition government can be a model for other States on matters such as uplift of farmers, students, and labourers.
