The Congress would waive all farm loans and extend financial assistance to farmers in the State for five years if the party comes to power in the 2019 elections, said Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik after attending the first meeting of the PCC Election Manifesto Committee here on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Patnaik said waiver of loans would not solve all the problems of farmers. Hence, the party has decided to provide solar pumps to help farmers with irrigation along with financial assistance for five years. "We will also extend financial support to the farmers continuously for five years. With irrigation facility round the year, farmers will be able to produce additional crops that would stabilise their financial position. They will not borrow loans further," said Patnaik.
The PCC Chief also said that the monthly old-age pension would be increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 if the Congress is voted to power.
On the Mahanadi water issue, Patnaik said, "Unlike the BJD, we will present the grievances on behalf of the State before the Chhattisgarh Government and the Centre. A solution will surely come out after that."
The PCC chief also reacted over the statement of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the election results in the BJP-ruled States that as the BJP had not implemented the report of the Swaminathan Committee on farmers' issues, it lost the polls. If so, the PCC president asked, "Why is Chief Minister Patnaik not implementing the Swaminathan Committee?"
Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Narasingha Mishra said, "People voted against the BJP. This is a victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youths, Dalits, SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities and general castes.
The semifinal poll battle proves that the BJP is virtually nowhere in all the States. This is a real democratic indication for the 2019 final match. Ultimately, voters are always the 'man of the match' of democracy."
