Fulfilling another promise of the state government, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, on Friday, handed over the debt relief certificates to landless farmers of the district SAS Nagar here under the 5th Phase of Debt Relief Scheme, which would provide relief to 2.85 lac farm labourers and landless farming members.Terming this initiative a path breaking, Mr. Sidhu informed, "loan worth Rs.1148.42 lakh has been waived off in the district today". He said that the main function was held at the pious place of Sri Anandpur Sahib, in which Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has launched the 5th phase of debt relief scheme and loan worth Rs.520 Crore of 2.85 Lac Farm Labourers and Landless Farming Members of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies throughout the state, waived off with this step.Divulging further about the scheme, the Cabinet Minister apprised that the state government had already waived off loan of farmers to the tune of about Rs.4700 crore.
"Every step of our government is directed to provide relief to the marginal sections of the society and the government is doing all its efforts to make agriculture a profitable sector despite the apathetic attitude of the Union government". added Mr. Sidhu.The Cabinet Minister said that the state government is providing financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh to the family members of the farmers of the state, who sacrificed their lives during the farmers' agitation besides giving government jobs to one of their family members. He added that the state government during its tenure so far procured 9 crops in 48 hours and paid farmers' dues on time.Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Mr. Girish Dayalan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Ms. Komal Mittal and Additional Deputy Commissioner (D) Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, the Cabinet Minister handed over the debt relief certificates to 10 landless farmers of various villages. On this occasion Chairman Market Committee Kharar Mr. Harkesh Chand Sharma, Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies Mohali Jasvinder Singh, MD Cooperative Bank Mohali Bhaskar Kataria, District Manager Cooperative Bank Mohali Devinder Pal Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer Mohali Rajesh Kumar Raheja and Agricuture Development Officer Mohali Gurdial Kumar were also present.