Pratibha Patil calls for effective implementation of schemes for farmers

President Pratibha Patil has called for an effective implementation of relief schemes, which have been announced by the government for the farmers.

Amravati, Oct 14 : President Pratibha Patil has called for an effective implementation of relief schemes, which have been announced by the government for the farmers.

"The government made special packages for the farmers, but the outcome has not really been encouraging. Focus needs to be made on implementation of these programmes and also some improvement needs to be made," said Patil, who was visiting her ancestral Amravati village in Maharashtra.

This is Patil's first visit to her ancestral village since being elected India's President.

Expressing deep concern over farmer suicides in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Patil suggested supplementary business for them, besides effective implementation of relief packages.

The spate of suicides in Maharashtra has not abated despite highly publicised efforts by New Delhi to ease the farmers' financial burden.

In July, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced over 400 million dollars in one-time grant, interest waivers and debt restructuring, besides a one-year moratorium on loan repayments for farmers.

But activists say the package had failed to make an impact, and farmers in Maharashtra's worst hit Vidharba region were still committing suicides at the rate of three every day.

At a felicitation function, Patil also emphasised on women empowerment in order to develop the nation.

"If women are weak, then the country cannot progress. If they are strong then the nation will be moving towards a path of development and progress," Patil said.

Later, Patil also offered prayers at a shrine of Goddess Amba Devi.

ANI