Shivalik
On Wednesday, Congress MP and senior leader Shashi Tharoor said that the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown has pushed India’s farmers in debt and has broken the supply chain. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Tharoor said that the farmers’ condition is worsening due to the “unplanned lockdown”.
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“The condition of our farmers is worsening thanks to the unplanned #lockdown & completely broken supply chain. Last harvest didn’t yield good monetary value since farmers unable to sell,” Tharoor’s tweet read.
The condition of our farmers is worsening thanks to the unplanned #lockdown & completely broken supply chain. Last harvest didn't yield good monetary value since farmers unable to sell. They are heavily in debt &Govt's package provides them nothing. They need help! #किसान_के_बोल
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 10, 2020
He also noted that the economic packages announced by the government have not aided the farmers in any way. “They need help!” he posted.
The minister also called for the elimination of the middlemen who he said: “are profiting at the expense of our sweat-stained farmers”. He said that the Food Corporation of India should directly buy from the farmers. The move will “give the aam aadmi cheaper food if parasitical middlemen are eliminated!” he said.
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“Why should they buy the farm products and exploit both growers and consumers?” he questioned.
