Agricultural distress is an age-old issue in the Indian economy. A spell of distress, a famine, or some other calamity doesn't affect rich farmers much. It's the poor farmers who deserve to be bailed out, not the affluent/land-owning farmers.
However, rich farmers' groups in Punjab and Haryana have always managed to pressurize the government to submit to their irrational demands. In the current instance, a farmer from Punjab, named Chamkaur Singh, is asking for a bailout. He farms 3 acres of his land and manages 14 acres on lease.
As per a report, the farmer owes Rs 4 lakh to banks and Rs 5 lakh to an Arhtiya (commission agent). "I will not be able to earn any money from harvest this year. My input costs have not been met", he said, suggesting that he deserves to be bailed out by the government.
Anybody who knows the reality will tell you that the said farmer is actually richer than most of the taxpayers. "These farmers usually exploit land to the point of becoming barren and dry. They don't adopt any modern farming practices. They only ask for bailouts and loan write-offs," laments a Twitter user.
Rich farmers corner many benefits meant for poor farmers. "A farmer doesn't pay income tax on his farm income. He gets tons of stuff heavily subsidized or for free already. Every business has risks. No one comes to bail out every business. A farmer should be no exception. Particularly after having enjoyed so many benefits," says another Netizen.
https://twitter.com/ramanmann1974/status/1651263831648223235
