Government should not treat farmers as vote banks: Congress

New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) Congress on Tuesday asked the NDA government why it was running away from its responsibility of waiving off loans of the farmers across the country, and urged it not to treat farmers as "mere vote banks".

Congress also asked why Punjab's model of debt waiver could not be replicated across the country.

"Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh met (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and urged him to waive off the loans of the farmers but he didn't take any action. But, Punjab Chief Minister yesterday took a decision to waive off the laons of in the state," said Congress' Punjab chief Sunil Jakhar.

"Why is the BJP government at the centre running away from their responsibility of waiving off loans? We don't an astute and clever government, we want a resposible government," he added.

Jakhar further said despite the financial stress faced by Punjab, Amarinder Singh showed "real leadership" and Prime Minister Modi should follow suit.

"They (the NDA) should not look at the farmers' as mere vote bank," he said.

"International crude prices have crashed as per the Prime Minister. They have claimed that there is a windfall gain of Rs 3 lakh crore per annum because of the fall in the crude prices. We urge them to use this amount for loan waiver."

About Punjab government's farm loan waiver, Jakhar said:"There are about 18,50,000 farming families in Punjab out of which two-third are small and marginal farmers. Out of these, about 70 per cent have taken loans."

"Roughly it translates into something like 13 lakh farmers, who are under debt. Out of those, 10,25000 families will get direct benefit," he added.

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