BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded loan waiver scheme for farmers who are not getting proper price of their produce, despite an increase in production. The party also said that farmers should get 50% more than the production cost of their produce."If the state government is pro-farmer and want to give relief, it must waive loans and implement Swaminathan panel report to give a proper price to peasants. The government claims to have planned schemes to double farmers' income, but that is hardly visible. There should be a clear policy to give 50% more than the production cost of the crop'', said leader of opposition Ajay Singh while speaking during the adjournment motion on farmers' plight.The Congress leader also attacked Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for its failure to manage farmers' agitation, despite repeated warnings. Raising doubts over the government's intention to help farmers in distress, Ajay Singh said that the government was trying to divert the issue by blaming Congress for the unrest."Farmer unions had warned the government two months ahead of their agitation demanding a fair price for their hard-earned produce. But not only the officials and ministers ignored the problem, a big protest took place against the BJP government'', alleged Ajay Singh during a five-hour long debate in the House.The leader of opposition also attacked chief minister Chouhan for making tall claims on farmers' welfare. He said the government has neither succeeded in doubling the income of peasants, nor provided relief from the loan sharks by bringing a law against them. This has resulted in largescale farm suicides."Farmers took extreme step due to crop loss, financial crisis, debts and poor pricing. But BJP ministers insult them by their statements. Ironically, the ministers cited various reasons for farmers' suicide, including family dispute, health problems and sometimes even ghosts, which is ridiculous and pathetic'', said Singh.On Mandsaur firing , the Congress leader said that the government is diverting the issue by blaming Congress and opium smugglers, while ignoring the genuine cause of peasants.In Mandsaur, the farmers were protesting against government's failure. When police opened fire, the home minister tried to mislead the public through his foolish press statements. "The state home minster first said that police did not open fire on farmers. Later, he said it was police who fired.The government did not register any FIR in the case and handed over the matter for a judicial inquiry. There were contrary statements about those involved in violence. First it was stated that smugglers were involved, then they blamed Congress workers for instigating violence. Government kept on lying again and again", Singh said.He said when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tried to meet farmers in Mandsaur, the government politicised the issue, stooping low to block the entry of Congress leader. He also dubbed chief minister's indefinite fast as a planned drama where family members of deceased farmers were called to end the fast abruptly.He said government claim to purchase onions was not helping farmers, but traders and that too from other states. The hurriedly taken decision cost the state exchequer crores of rupees, he alleged. "In one month, 71 farmers committed suicide due to crop loss and financial crisis, bu, the government failed to help them. The government should immediately announce its plan to support farmers and their family during this hour of crisis'', he said.

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