"Baghel's government hoodwinked farmers...": Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 24 : Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raman Singh on Tuesday attacked the Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the state for "hoodwinking" farmers by letting them "get burdened" with loans.
"It has been five years since the Bhupesh Baghel government came to power by promising to waive off loans of the farmers. The government hoodwinked the farmers and the public. Today, the situation is such that the farmers are burdened with debt. It has not been five years and farmers are again under debt worth crores", the three-time chief minister told ANI.
"Every year, the pressure to repay loans is increasing and that is why, the farmers have to apply again and again for loan waiver. This is the failure of the Baghel government", Raman said.
Earlier on Monday, Baghel promised a loan waiver to farmers if voted to power again while the BJP dubbed the promise as mere "eyewash".

"After three announcements that include caste-based elections, procurement of 20 quintal paddy and housing facility, today we made a fourth announcement of waiving of the loan of farmers. Due to this announcement, tremendous enthusiasm is being seen on the faces of farmers," said chief minister Baghel while speaking to mediapersons in Raipur.
When asked about BJP's comment that the loan waiver announcement has not been defined properly, CM Baghel said why there is a doubt, even though this announcement has been made on the line of promise that was made last time (ahead of assembly elections in 2018).
He further said that "the stronger our farmers, the stronger our economy will be."
"The impact on inflation was witnessed in other states while it was not seen in Chhattisgarh. The money put into the pockets of farmers has come to the market but if we give money to big industrialists then it will not come into the marke," he said.
Pointing out that the Centre had waived off the loan of industrialists to the tune of over 14 lakh crore, Baghel questioned the impact of the decision on the the economy of India.
"We have waived the loan of farmers and its impact was witnessed on the business of Chhattisgarh, thus there is a lot of difference between the two economies," Baghel said.
The announcement has brought cheer to over 26 lakh farmers as well as their family members, stated Baghel.
Meanwhile, claiming that the people of Chhattisgarh will not trust Congress, BJP MP Santosh Pandey said that they (Congress) have earlier announced loan waivers of all kinds but no loan was waived off. By taking Ganga Jal on hand, they promised a liquor ban but ensured home delivery service during the COVID pandemic.
Elections for the 90-member Assembly of Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases.
The first phase of polling for 20 seats will be held on November 7, and the remaining 70 seats will go to polls on November 17.
The vote counting will be held on December 3.