Minister says farmers hope for drought to get loans waived, later claims remarks misinterpreted

CHIKKODI, VIJAYAPURA: Textiles, Sugarcane Development and Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil waded into yet another controversy when he remarked that farmers await a drought with the hope of getting their loans waived.

Speaking at the inauguration of a rural agricultural self-help group at Suttatti village in Athani taluk on Sunday evening he said, “…Krishna river water and electricity are free, the CM has also provided seeds and fertilisers. Farmers have just one desire — that droughts occur repeatedly — so that their loans are waived. They shouldn’t have such desires. Anyway, droughts occur once in 3-4 years. Previous governments too have waived farmers’ loans. But when a government is in trouble, it becomes difficult to help farmers…”, he said.

Shivanand Patil had previously stoked a row when he said farmers’ suicides were increasing after the increase in compensation.

After his remarks created a controversy, the minister claimed that it was misinterpreted.

After his comments created yet another controversy, the minister claimed that he was not arrogant and that his statement was misinterpreted. Speaking to media persons in Vijayapura, he said opposition parties are indulging in politics as the Lok Sabha elections are coming up next year.

“I am not anti-farmer, I have not made any anti-farmer statements. Farmers get good prices for their produce once in three years and in the other two years, they faces losses. Hence, they say their loans should be waived. The Central schemes are also not helping them”, he claimed.

“The opposition claims that I am being arrogant, but these are all political gimmicks. If the BJP is really concerned about farmers’ welfare, let them change the central laws. The opposition leaders should highlight this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi”, Shivanand Patil said.

Further, he said farmers should become self-reliant and should not be dependent on government doles. For this, policies should be framed and laws should be implemented, he said. “I stand with farmers, but the opposition has twisted my words. The Centre has banned export of copra, onions. The opposition is doing this in view of the Lok Sabha elections”, he said.