Union government following anti farmers policies, says Minister
Karnataka Minister M. B. Patil criticized the central government for its alleged anti-farmer policies, contrasting the lack of loan waivers for farmers with the relief provided to industrialists. He emphasized the need for cooperative societies and infrastructure projects like the Almatti dam to support the agricultural sector.
Why it matters
The debate over agricultural policy and loan waivers is a central theme in Indian politics, reflecting the ongoing tension between rural agrarian interests and national economic policy.
“The BJP led NDA government is following anti farmer policies,” M. B. Patil, Minister and Congress leader, said on Saturday (August 16, 2026).
"BJP leader Subramanya Swami has said that in the last 12 years, the union government has waived off loans of industrialists of over ₹10 lakh crore. But it is not inclined towards waiving off just ₹2 lakh crore of farmers' loans.
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Former PM Manmohan Singh was the only national leader in this country who waived off farmers' loans", he said.
MLA Shivanand Patil also complained that the central government was not protecting the interests of farmers. "Due to its anti farmers policies, even NABARD is not giving loans to farmers", he said.
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