They have waited for weeks in anticipation of good times, but the government’s decision on farm loan waiver appears to have left many farmers in a piquant situation.
Though many farmers are preparing to take up rabi operations, delay in clearing loans and the conditions that are being imposed by the Government for waiver of their crop loans are forcing many-a-ryot to rely on private moneylenders.
“I did not repay the loan hoping that there is no need to pay the installment following the Government’s repeated assurances on loan waiver. Banks are not willing to give new loans and I am forced to opt for private lenders,” said N. Venkateswara Rao, a farmer from Mangalagiri.
Staring at the mounting penal interest and pending principle, farmers are worried over the notices being served by the banks on recovery of their dues.
“I need to clear the existing loans on the one hand and I have to reclaim the gold pledged with the banks on the other. This is putting an additional stress both financially and mentally,” said R. Purnachandra Rao, another farmer from Tatikonda.
Though the government has announced loan waiver, subject to fulfillment of some conditions, there is no clarity on interest payment. Even if a farmer is listed as eligible for loan waiver, it will time for banks and government to make the payments and clear the formalities.
There is every probability of rabi season comin to a close by then, said Y. Kesava Rao, president of Krishna district unit of Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham.
The small and marginal farmers are worst hit as they are left with no option other than depending on private moneylenders.
