Further relief for MP, Chhattisgarh farmers; bonus, refund of paid loan, extension of cut-off date planned

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

Bhopal/Raipur: The newly formed Congress governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are on way to take more steps towards farm loan waivers, bringing more farmers in the benefit ambit.

While the MP government is thinking of giving bonus/incentive to those farmers who have paid agri loans already, the Chhattisgarh government is likely to refund the paid amount.

During a cabinet meeting held for second consecutive day, which also saw review of agriculture department, the Kamal Nath-led government in MP discussed the ways of furthering the farm loan waiver benefits to more.

Apart from likely payment of bonus to those who paid loans, it was also decided that the loan waiver cut-off date might be extended to June 30, September 30 or November 30, 2018. Recently, government had announced the cut off date as March 31, 2018. The final decision is likely during cabinet meeting on January 6.

This cut-off date led to criticism and controversy as it was mentioned that many farmers would have paid off the loans till that date to get fresh loans. Also two farmers’ suicides were reported in MP, where the deceased’s kin had taken up this point.

Chhattisgarh government meanwhile is looking to refund the loan amounts paid by the farmers during a particular period, sources said.

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