Gujarat: Farmers' bodies come out in support of debt waiver Bill
For the past couple of years, the cost of inputs is rising very fast and farmers are not even earning what they spend on growing crops. This debt should be waived, says Jayesh Patel
With the Congress MLA from Visavadar expected to introduce the bill seeking farmers' debt waiver on July 11, major farmers' bodies in the state, including Khedut Samaj – Gujarat and Gujarat Khedut Ekta Samiti, have thrown their weight behind it.
Jayesh Patel, president of Khedut Samaj – Gujarat said the organisation has asked all district and taluka units to write to their MLAs and demand support for the bill. Patel feels that if farmers' debt can be waived off in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, it can be done in Gujarat too.
"For the past couple of years, the cost of inputs is rising very fast and farmers are not even earning what they spend on growing crops. It is very natural that this debt should be waived," Patel told DNA.
DNA has a copy of a letter written to MLA Sunil Gamit of Nizar in Tapi district. It reads, "You know that MLA Harshad Ribadiya is bringing a bill that will enable complete waiver of debts of farmers, who are the majority of voters in this constituency. Please vote in favour of the bill."
Similarly, Sagar Rabari, founder president of Gujarat Khedut Ekta Samiti, in a video message, urged farmers to demand support for the bill from their MLAs. "Those MLAs or political parties that don't vote in favour of the bill will be exposed. The voting will make it clear who wants the welfare of farmers," said Rabari.