Pawar for waiver to big farmers

Earlier, SP leader Amar Singh said it was shameful that India stood 128th among 177 countries in the Global Hunger Index, reports Satyen Mohapatra.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said on Monday that he would take up the issue of farmers owning more than five acres in rain-fed areas being brought under the loan waiver scheme with the Finance Ministry at an "appropriate" time.

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Replying to a debate on the working of the Agriculture Ministry in the Rajya Sabha, he said, "At least those farmers who are in the rainfed areas and possess above 5 acres and those farmers who regularly repay, also deserve some compensation."

He said the government would first implement the decision which has been announced and then take up these issues. "I am confident that we will be able to convince the Finance Ministry and all other concerned departments. We will take an appropriate decision at the appropriate time," he said.

Earlier, SP leader Amar Singh said it was shameful that India stood 128th among 177 countries in the Global Hunger Index.