MP Assembly: Walk-out by BJP over farm loan waiver issue

The BJP Tuesday accused the Congress-led Madhya Pradesh government of not fulfilling promises made to farmers and demanded a discussion in the Assembly on the farm loan waiver scheme.

Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, speaking in the House, said benefits of the Kamal Nath government's farm loan waiver had not reached farmers.

Raising the matter soon after Question Hour, Chouhan demanded a discussion on the issue.

Leader of Opposition Gopal Bhargava also urged Speaker N P Prajapati to allow a discussion on July 11.

The Speaker, however, turned down the demand and invited BJP legislators to his chamber to discuss the issue.

Dissatisfied with the Speaker's response, BJP MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly.

Later, talking to the reporters outside the House, Chouhan said the Congress had promised to change the chief minister if he failed to waive off farm loans within ten days of assuming office.

While the Congress had promised loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, it had ordered write-off of only short term loans, Chouhan alleged.

He said pressure from banks on loan repayment was distressing farmers and forcing them to take extreme steps like suicide.

Farmers are not getting fresh loans or minimum support prices for their produce and were also facing problems in getting seeds and compost, the senior BJP leader said.