Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, December 30: Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has come down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Karnataka farmers' loan waiver by terming it “incorrect” and “unfortunate for the nation”.
The Prime Minister on Friday had described the Karnataka coalition’s farmer loan waiver scheme as “most cruel joke on farmers.”
Kumaraswamy on Sunday hit back at the PM, stating the Union government failed to come to rescue of farmers despite repeated requests. “Now, the PM with incorrect remarks is demeaning the state government for political gain,” he blamed.
“The loan waiver is our government’s commitment towards farmers of our state and the process has begun,” Kumaraswamy said lashing out at Modi for misleading the people of the nation without obtaining facts of the scheme. “It is sad that he sees the progressive scheme as a ‘joke’,” he said.
"The Prime Minister may kindly note certain updates and facts about the farmers' crop loan waiver before making such incorrect statements. The Government of Karnataka is handling honest taxpayers' public money with caution to reach true farmers. The scheme is an open book and information available online unlike any other state. It is ensured that every genuine farmer gets the benefit. All middlemen, particularly in the co-operative sector are weeded out. Other states have shown a keen interest in this system. Aadhaar and electronic authentication of land records and ration card have ensured genuine farmers get the waiver," Kumaraswamy asserted.
The CM said that 60,000 farmers have already availed the benefit of loan waiver with Rs 350 crore transferred to their accounts electronically. Next week, one lac farmers will receive Rs 400 crore. As many as 8.5 lakh farmers have given their Aadhaar, ration card and RTC details out of 21 lakh farmers in commercial crop loanees in about 10 days.
Kumaraswamy released a letter addressed to the Prime Minister with relevant documents to the media to clarify the matter:
“Hon’ble Prime Minister may kindly note the following updates and facts about the Farmers crop loan waiver before making such incorrect statements:
1. Crop Loan waiver is an open book and information available ONLINE unlike any other state.
2. Government of Karnataka is handling honest tax payers' Public Money with caution to reach true farmers.
3. It is ensured that every genuine farmer gets the benefit.
4. All middlemen, particularly in co-operative sector are weeded out.
5. Other States have shown keen interest in this system. Aadhaar and electronic authentication of land records and Ration Card has ensured genuine farmers get the waiver.
6. So far, Rs. 350 Crore has been paid to about 60,000 farmers electronically into individual accounts of the farmers.
7. Payments are being made every week electronically into farmers' loan/SB account.
8. Next week, another one lakh farmers will get about Rs. 400 Crore.
9. As many as 8.5 lakh farmers have given their Aadhaar, ration card and RTC details out of 21 lakh farmers in commercial Crop loanees in about 10 days.
10. We will complete all genuine farmers by the end of January, 2019
11. The officials have shown great commitment and are working on priority for the expeditious payment within January transparently and achieving successful implementation of the scheme.
The details of district wise release of loan waiver money is enclosed.”