Pune: In a bid to further streamline the proposed interim assistance to small cultivators, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday clarified that there was no compulsion on farmers to submit an affidavit to avail of the loan of ₹10,000.
Earlier this week, with the government yet to iron out the modalities of the farm loan waiver, the State had announced immediate provision of ₹10,000 to aid small, debt-stricken farmers to purchase seeds and fertilisers before commencement of the kharif sowing season.
“In a bid to preclude its misuse, the interim loan assistance came with certain conditions, namely the submission of affidavits. However, it is not compulsory for farmers to submit the same,” Mr. Fadnavis said, speaking here.
The Chief Minister said that the interim assistance to small farmers was designed in keeping with the fact that the rains had already arrived and that banks did not disburse credit until the old loans had been repaid.
“The aim of this bridge payment is to aid the absolutely needy farmer and that the State government is eager to ensure that the really deserving is not excluded from its ambit,” he said.
Commenting on the waiver, Mr. Fadnavis said the government would have to strive hard for the first three months.
“The experience of past loan waivers, in both the country and state, has not been good with the CAG often pointing to numerous loopholes and instances of corruption. So, we need to be very careful with this mega waiver,” he cautioned.
“We are implementing a loan waiver scheme now. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that the needy, poor and debt-ridden farmers get its benefit,” Mr. Fadnavis said, adding that the Collectors should ensure that rich farmers do not take its advantage.