Govt relief to farmers: Crop loan at 6 pc interest

Mumbai, Apr 21 (UNI) In a relief to the farming community, Maharashtra Government today said farmers will be provided crop loan at six per cent interest and a concession of two per cent on fresh loan, if the earlier amount is repaid on time.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said all district cooperative banks have been told not to levy penalty on farmers with dues on non-payment of loan.

Mr Deshmukh told the members that local NGOs would be involved in the Government's initiatives to study the psychology of the farmers, as cases of suicide have become rampant among them of late.

He said the Government would recommend to the Commission on agriculture cost and prices that zoning of agriculture areas be done on the basis of produce.

The Centre announces only one minimum guarantee price for each crop throughout the country and farmers whose production is low due to natural calamities cannot afford that price, he expressed.

A survey of farmers' electricity bill arrears would also be conducted in the Vidarbha region where there have been more cases of suicide, and after studying the details, the Government would consider giving some concessions, he said.

The Chief Minister also said a Rs 1,075 crore package was announced during the winter session of the State Legislature in Nagpur last year and implementation of all the schemes under the package is nearing completion.

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