Farmers demand Maharashtra model of crop loan waiver

The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association has exhorted the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu government to adopt the Maharashtra government model of crop loan waiver scheme for the benefit of Tamil Nadu farmers.

In a memorandum to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, association secretary Sundara Vimalanathan pointed out that ₹410 crore availed as crop loans by farmers during the 2016-21 period had been converted as medium term crop loan. But these loans were not waived either by the previous DMK government or by the earlier AIADMK regime.

While urging Chief Minster Joseph Vijay to waive this medium term crop loan, the association secretary urged the government to adopt the ₹36,585-crore crop loan waiver scheme announced by the Maharashtra government wherein ₹50,000 had been announced as an incentive to farmers who paid equated monthly instalments regularly.

As per the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjamukti Yojana of the Maharashtra government, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra farmers could avail loan waiver, one-time settlement, and incentive benefits. It means that loans of up to ₹2 lakh would be waived while for loans of over ₹2 lakh loan a grace period would be given to pay the outstanding amount before March 31, 2027, along with a deposit in the accounts of the borrowers, and those who paid EMIs regularly would receive an incentive of ₹50,000.