Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Paves Way For Farm Loan Waiver

Immediately after taking over as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath on Monday waived loans of farmers upto Rs 2 lakh each, delivering on the Congress pre-poll promise of cancelling farm loans within 10 days of coming to power. Addressing the press conference, CM said, “After joining this post (of Chief Minister), the first file I have signed is of farm loan waiver of Rs 2 lakh each, as I had promised to the farmers.”

Nath further said, “Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment. People from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here & local people don’t get jobs. I have signed file for this.”

“The Madhya Pradesh government hereby takes the decision of waiving of loans taken by farmers up to Rs 2 lakh from nationalised and cooperative banks,” read the letter signed by Rajesh Rajora, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Kamal Nath took oath as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in the presence of party chief Rahul Gandhi. He was administered the oath of office by Governor Anandiben



Patel.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh and Mallikarjun Kharge, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar were also present, reported ANI.

Newly elected Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot also attended the ceremony.

Earlier, the BJP had demanded that Congress President Rahul Gandhi steps down as the party chief for anointing Nath, whose name came up following 1984 anti-Sikh riots, as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Addressing media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi should resign as Congress’ chief. Kamal Nath ji’s name crops up along with the affidavit and evidence in a report submitted to Nanavati Commission. A man involved in anti-Sikh riots has been made the MP CM. Rahul Gandhi must expel him from the party.”

The Congress bagged 114 seats in the recently held Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election 2018 ending Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) 15-year rule under Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The party secured the support of a total of 121 MLAs, including SP (1) and BSP (2) legislators as also of four independents, to cross the majority mark of 116 seats in the 230-member assembly.