BJP MDC seeks loan waiver for flood-hit farmers

TURA: BJP state president of the Minority Morcha Sofiur Rahman said on Saturday the state and the central governments should waive off the Kisan Credit Card loans of farmers who have lost their crops in last week’s floods in the plains of West Garo Hills.
“Farmers in the plan areas had already planted the Sali paddy when the floods came and destroyed everything,” the GHADC MDC from Balachanda told The Shillong Times.
Rahman said there are hundreds of farmers in the plain areas who have opted for KCC farm loans and the damage would break them financially. “Money to the tune of Rs 5 crore in loan has been availed of by farmers in the plain belt region of Garo Hills for cultivation of paddy but the rains have destroyed everything,” said Rahman.
flooding, the BJP MDC said the earth and gravel layer that had recently been put has been completely eroded.“The government should not undertake the black topping of the road before a fresh layer of earth work is undertaken,” said Rahman.Garo Hills witnessed floods and landslides caused by incessant rain that lashed the region last week. Flooding took place in the low-lying areas of Baghmara and its adjoining areas in South Garo Hills district.The impact of the rain in the upper reaches of neighbouring Assam caused floodwaters to enter the plain belt by the evening of August 13 forcing several thousands to abandon their homes and move to higher grounds.
Initial survey showed 140 villages with a population of 1.2 lakh were affected by floods. As many as 24 relief camps have been set up to house the displaced people and gratuity relief was provided to the camp inmates.