Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Farmers keep fingers crossed

Staff Reporter

Loan waiver announcement causes confusion

MADURAI: "Does the waiver of farmers' loan announced by the State Government include those meant for cultivation of cash crops also? Will the Government refund farmers their recently repaid loan dues?" were some of the pertinent questions put forth by ryots at the Farmers' Grievance Day meeting held at the Collectorate here on Friday.

The farmers, especially those who had cultivated sugarcane and plantains, were anxious to get a favourable reply.

One of the representatives wanted to convene a special meeting of farmers and officials from co-operative banks and other related departments to clarify on issues pertaining to who were all eligible to benefit from the Government's gesture. Going by the questions raised by the farmers, it was evident that there was a lot of confusion on the Government Order.

Collector D. Raajendiran asked an official to read out the G.O. that waived all co-operative loans taken till March 31, 2006. According to it, the co-operative banks were advised not to initiate steps to collect outstanding dues. A farmer, who intervened, wanted to know whether his friend, who had repaid Rs. 30,000 as dues only two months ago, was eligible for a refund.

Even before the Collector could reply, many farmers chuckled to which the farmer curtly said his question had many ramifications as the G.O. benefited only those farmers who had taken loans from co-operative banks and not those who had borrowed money from nationalised banks.

Collector's promise

When Mr. Raajendiran said further orders on the matter were yet to be issued and promised to get clarification from the Government, another farmer wanted to know whether the loan raised for cultivating sugarcane was also waived. "Does it apply to other cash crops such as plantains also?" was the question posed by another.

They wanted the State Government to expedite reimbursement of waived loan money to co-operative banks so that the banks could lend fresh advances to farmers, as the next agricultural operations would commence very soon.

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