Farmers' debt relief commission: A political response to economic problem

Adding another welfare measure to the many announced by the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government in recent months, the state Assembly passed legislation on August 2 to establish a farmers’ debt relief commission.

The five-member commission will be led by a retired high court judge. The objective and reason for the Bill state: “The problem of farmer indebtedness has become a serious concern in recent times. Various factors, such as famine, floods, heavy rainfall, short rainfall, hailstorms, and other natural calamities, contribute to the farmers’ indebtedness, making it difficult for them to repay loans obtained from financial institutions or money lenders.