A series of suggestions from with in the UPA partners and specifically from Mr.Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi from outside have been made to amend the eligibility criteria for loan waiver, to take in to account the nature of the land holdings of the small and marginal farmers so as to make even dry land farmers from Vidharbha region holding four Hectares, beneficiaries of this scheme.

It is truly ironical that even the heart wrenching spectacle of 125 more suicides by the Vidharbha farmers since the announcement of 60,000 Crore-loan waiver scheme by the Finance Minister in the Union Budget -2008 is apparently not serious enough for Mr. Pawar who hails from Maharashtra!

This statement from the Agriculture Minister, in a way, does give credence to the opinions of various analysts who have criticized Mr. Pawar for his personal inclination and bias in favor of the Marathwada farmers who are supposed to form the staunchest NCP followers and are now supposed to form the biggest chunk of farmers who are likely to get the Loan Waiver benefits to the maximum!

Mr. Pawar happens to be the Union Minister for Agriculture and it is expected of him to show equal concern for 'all' the farmers in distress in India and not selectively for whatever 'personal logic' of his own.

This stance of a senior political leader of quite some stature is, thoroughly disappointing to say the least.

Shahabuddin Nadeem