NEW DELHI: Prime Minister V P Singh Saturday said the government will have to take steps to give a fillip to the farmers to enable them to play a key role in the development process of the country.
Addressing an all-party meeting here to mark the 88th birth anniversary of former prime minister Charan Singh, V P Singh said it was a matter of shame and disgrace that India-a mainly agrarian economy-had to import rice, edible oil and other agro-based items.
The government would take steps to give adequate price for farm produce, reduce input costs and alleviate the living conditions of the farmers, he said.
“Keeping in view the ideals of this great leader of the farmers, government has decided to keep 50 per cent of the total plan outlay for rural upliftment”, he said.
“Chaudhury Charan Singh, who remained a “Kisan” (farmer) throughout despite reaching the highest office in political life, had always worked for bringing a social and economic revolution”, Singh said.
“In order to live up to his ideals, we will have to work for value-based politics.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 12, 1990
