Former Punjab minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary Bikram Majithia today lauded the Uttar Pradesh government for waiving off farm loans of 2.15 crore farmers and urged the Punjab government to show similar political will and fulfil its commitment to farmers. In a statement here, Mr Majithia said both the UP and Punjab governments took up the reins of their respective States at the same time. "The UP government under Yogi Adityanath has fulfilled the promise made to farmers and waived off loans of up to Rs one lakh for 2.15 crore farmers. The Punjab Congress had also promised to waive off all loans taken by Punjabi farmers. Lakhs of farmers had also filled forms at the instance of the Congress to apply for the loan waiver. However unlike the UP government the Punjab government has adopted complete silence on this issue and is even trying to wriggle out of the solemn commitment by making various excuses".
Reminding the Congress government that where there is a will there is a way, the akali leader said the beleaguered peasantry was eagerly waiting for the promised loan waiver. He said the Congress government could not make excuses of lack of funds as it had conducted a due diligence exercise on this issue while framing its manifesto over a period of six months. "The State's finances were an open secret and known to Congress leaders who framed the party election manifesto and got it cleared from renowned economist and former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh". Mr Majithia urged the Congress government to display the necessary political will and waive off farmer loans lest it be accused of befooling the peasantry to get their votes through a carefully planned and orchestrated charade.