Himachal Pradesh protects farmers from land eviction

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured farmers that his government prioritizes their welfare. He stated that farmers and orchardists would not be displaced from their land. The CM spoke during a gathering of farmers at Chowra Maidan, organized by the Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha and the Apple Producers' Association. The farmers were protesting against threatened eviction from their properties. Rakesh Singha, a former MLA and leader of the Kisan Sabha, presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister. He emphasized that the eviction, which he claims is happening under court orders, threatens the farmers' livelihoods. In response, Sukhu highlighted a new scheme designed to help farmers with their loans. The plan includes a one-time settlement policy through banks for agricultural loans up to Rs 3 lakh. The state will also cover 50% of the interest on these loans. The government intends to spend Rs 50 crore on this initiative to help prevent the auction of farmers' lands.