The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu has announced modalities for the massive Crop Debt Redemption Scheme in the State where 26.77 lakh beneficiaries would be covered in phase I.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu reiterated his Government resolve to make farming profitable again by extending all necessary Government support.
Naidu said, “The loan waiver was the most important poll promise made seeing the plight of farmers. And this was the first file I signed after assuming office as Chief Minister. In spite of starting the journey with a deficit of Rs 16,000 crore, and tough financial situation, the Government is committed to implementation of the loan reschedule.”
He said that loans for weavers, BCs and STs and women self help groups ware being worked out and soon a decision would be taken.
The list of beneficiaries for the phase I would be published on December 6 and the second phase by January 9-14. Outlining the details of the massive loan reschedule programme, he said the total relief amount per agriculture family is capped at Rs 1.5 lakh. Loan amount of each family with loan more than Rs 50,000 will be given full redemption as per norms.
Families with loan amounts of Rs 50,000 would be given 20 per cent redemption now and remaining 80 per cent adjusted on annual basis, over the next four years as per the norms. The Farmers Empowerment Corporation would take care of these loans. And families with loans taken for horticulture will be given relief of Rs 10,000 per acre.
As per the data collected, there are 82.66 lakh accounts and of this 40.43 lakh accounts have been cleared for waiver in Phase I. Outlining the norms adopted, he said that farmers need to have valid ration card and Aadhaar ID and where ration card is not available, Voter ID is taken into account.
The loan disbursement between April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013 is covered. Only crop loans are eligible for waiver. Priority has been given to tenant over owner, when both have availed loan on the same survey number, in the same season. When more than one member of a family has availed loan, Rs 1.5 lakh will be apportioned.
The Government has set crop loans on priority, followed by converted crop loan and then gold loan. If loan is taken from more than one bank branch, priority would be accorded to bank with original pledged document.