In a move to ease distress of farmers battling drought-like conditions in a number of states, the Union Cabinet in its meeting on Thursday is likely to approve a proposal of the ministry of agriculture to slash the interest rate from 12 per cent to seven on crop loans, which were earlier restructured into term loans.
The proposal, which was to be taken up earlier by the empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on drought, headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, would now be considered by the Union Cabinet.
The EGoM meeting scheduled to meet on September 3 was postponed. The ministry of agriculture in its proposal has stated that even though the crop loans of the farmers were restructured into term loans they were still unable to pay back the loans. “The proposal seeks interest subvention for the farmers, as they are facing difficult conditions due to drought-like situations in a number of states. So, the proposal seeks to slash the interest rate from the current 12 per cent to seven per cent on their crops loan, which had earlier been restructured into term loan following their inability to pay back,” said a senior official. Though the crop loans are charged at seven per cent, term loans invite 12 per cent interest rates, which have further stressed the farmers, added the official.
The EGoM on drought in its first and only meeting so far had allowed 50 per cent diesel subsidy to the farmers in a bid to help them to irrigate their standing crops.
The Centre had allowed diesel subsidy to farmers last in 2009.
Even after heavy rains in August, there has been a 12 per cent Monsoon rains deficit overall in the country, with four states — Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan — facing sever drought like conditions.
Ministry of rural development is also gearing up to enhance the statutory work days from 100 to 150 under MNREGS so as to absorb the growing rural job demands due to drought like conditions.