Tamil Nadu: Hunger strike in Chennai on June 30 for 100% loan waiver for small and marginal farmers.

Tamil Nadu: The coordination committee of all farmers’ unions has announced a major agitation demanding a 100% loan waiver for small and marginal farmers. The committee stated that a hunger strike would be held in Chennai on June 30, with farmers from across the state participating. Thousands of farmers from 38 districts are expected to gather for this protest.

Speaking to reporters, the committee’s chairman, P.R. Pandian, expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s policies and promises. He noted that the Tamil Nadu government had promised in its election manifesto to waive 100% of the loans for small and marginal farmers and 50% for large farmers. However, the subsequently announced scheme differs from this, leading to growing discontent among the farming community.

He explained that under the government’s new announcement, loans of only up to ₹50,000 would be waived for small and marginal farmers, while limited relief has been provided for large farmers. Specifically, for large farmers who have taken loans exceeding ₹1 lakh, the waiver mentioned ranges only from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. Farmers argue that this decision deviates significantly from election promises and fails to provide the expected relief.

P.R. Pandian mentioned that a delegation of farmers had met the Chief Minister regarding this issue. During the meeting, they urged the government to halt the loan waiver scheme if its current form contradicted the election manifesto. He added that while farmers understand if a full waiver is not feasible due to the financial burden on the government, transparency is essential.

He further stated that although the Chief Minister had assured them the matter would be considered, farmers remain dissatisfied with the loan waiver scheme announced by the government for the second time. Farmers say the move falls short of their expectations and has created an atmosphere of disappointment in rural areas. For this reason, the coordination committee of farmers’ unions has decided to organize a hunger strike in Chennai on June 30. The objective of this agitation is to pressure the government to fulfill its election promise of a 100% loan waiver for small and marginal farmers. The committee has appealed to all farmers’ organizations to join this movement.

Farmer leaders state that this is not merely an economic issue but a matter concerning the trust of farmers and the credibility of promises made. In the coming days, this agitation could evolve into a major political and social issue in the state.