'Rs 3,750 cr relief package for Vidarbha farmers'

Nagpur, July 1: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced a Rs 3,750 crore relief package for the distressed farmers of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

The package includes immediate and long-term relief measures for farmers in six districts of the region- Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yavatmal and Wardha.

Dr Singh announced the package at a news conference here on the second day of his two-day tour of the region to assess the problem of farmers in Vidarbha.

The measures include waiver of Rs 712 crore of overdue interest on loans taken by farmers, allocation of Rs 2,177 crore for improving irrigation facilities to be released over the next three years, Rs 135 crore to encourage subsidiary income through livestock, cattle and fodder, and Rs 240 crore for watershed development.

Besides, the Centre would allocate Rs 50 lakh to the Collector of each of the six affected districts to be 'used judiciously' for alleviating the distress of families affected by suicides and debt, Dr Singh said. In addition, Rs 1,300 crore of overdue loans of farmers as on June 30, 2006, would be rescheduled over a period of 3 to 5 years with a one-year moratorium,.

The government would also ensure an additional credit flow of Rs 1,275 crore during the current financial year, with special teams from NABARD (National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development) and the lead banks to monitor it.

The Prime Minister himself would monitor the implementation of the package, with a special cell being formed in his office for the purpose. Dr Singh said he had instructed his Principal Secretary to hold a meeting of the officers concerned to avoid bureaucratic delays in implementation of the package.

UNI

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