Bitter-sweet: Ryots hail water projects, rue FM’s miss on ignoring loan waiver

Terming it as a hyper booster shot for the agricultural activities, delta farmers urged the Centre and officials concerned to implement them promptly.

The absence of any announcement regarding the crop loan waiver has, however, disappointed the community.

Vouching the views of farm sector stakeholders general secretary of Cauvery Farmers Association Mannargudi S Ranganathan welcomed the measures announced to augment the ground water and suggested that the government should alongside come forward to construct check dams across the nation for water management and optimum utilisation. “This can be termed a zero farming budget through which the agricultural community can reap maximum benefits,” he said.

But, Cauvery Farmers Protection Movement, Secretary Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan is little disappointed as the budget is bereft of any big announcement on the much expected interest-free loan and waiver components. Further there is no mention about implementation of latest technology and increase in minimum support price.

Echoing similar views, All India Kisan Sangh Jeevakumar opined farmers have long been waiting for the loan waiver which was a total miss in the budget at time when there are reports of farmers’ suicide from different parts of the country.