In June 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Vidarbha’s distressed farm regions and announced a Rs 4,400 crore relief package and later a Rs 72,000 crore farm loan waiver in 2008. He substantially raised the Minimum Support Price for cotton and ensured massive procurements, benefiting farmers. Singh’s actions are warmly remembered in Vidarbha for alleviating their struggles.

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