Farmers in Tamil Nadu express displeasure over crop loan waiver scheme

Tamil Nadu: Sami Natarajan, State Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, described the state government’s cooperative crop loan waiver scheme as disappointing for farmers. He said the announcement contradicts the expectations farmers had based on election promises. According to him, this decision is not providing the expected relief to small and medium-sized farmers.

Releasing a statement in this regard, Sami Natarajan said that the Thaveka government, led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, has announced the waiver of crop loans taken by small and marginal farmers from cooperative banks, but this announcement does not align with the promises made during the elections. He alleged that the government’s policy does not fully take into account the actual economic situation of farmers.

He further stated that in the election manifesto, the Tevaga Party had clearly promised that cooperative crop loans taken by farmers with land holdings up to 5 acres would be fully waived. It was also announced that 50 percent of crop loans for farmers owning more than 5 acres of land would be waived. Farmers had hoped that this promise would provide them with comprehensive relief.

However, according to the new announcement, only cooperative crop loans up to ₹50,000 will be fully waived. Furthermore, loans above this limit will only be waived up to a certain limit. This change has led to discontent and disappointment among farmers, especially those who have borrowed heavily to cultivate their land.

Farmers’ organizations say that agricultural costs are constantly rising, including expenses related to seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. Therefore, a limited loan waiver policy will not provide adequate relief to farmers. They argue that the government should implement a more comprehensive and effective scheme in line with its promises.

Sami Natarajan also stated that such decisions undermine farmers’ confidence and leave them under financial pressure. They have appealed to the government to review its election promises and offer more practical solutions in the interest of farmers.

Discussion on this issue has intensified in the state’s agricultural sector. Several farmers’ organizations have also demanded a reconsideration of this policy. They argue that both small and large farmers should receive assistance as per their needs, so that it has a positive impact on agricultural production and the rural economy.

While the government has not yet issued a detailed response on this issue, political and agricultural experts believe that the debate over this scheme may intensify in the coming days. Given the farmers’ anger, this issue could play a significant role in the state’s politics.

Overall, the questions raised regarding the crop loan waiver scheme have sparked a new debate between farmers and the government in Tamil Nadu, in which election promises, economic policies, and agricultural reforms have emerged as key issues.