Farmers' debt waiver scheme to cost Rs 71,680 cr

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) The government today approved guidelines on farmers' debt waiver scheme, saying that the scheme is likely to cost Rs 71,680 crore.

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) have nearly a month to implement the scheme, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said here, adding that 3.69 crore small farmers and 5.97 lakh medium farmers will be affected by the scheme.

The scheme, which suggests full debt waiver for small and marginal farmers, will be implemented by June 30.

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