List of farmers eligible for loan waiver to be ready by June 23: FM

Bangalore, June 16 (UNI) The Union Finance Ministry has issued directions to all the nationalised banks to publish the list of farmers eligible for the farm loan waiver scheme, as announced by the Union Government, by June 23, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today.

Speaking to farmers at the Vidyanagar branch of the public sector Vijaya Bank here he said the banks has been told that no eligible farmer should be left out of the Rs 71,000 loan waiver scheme.

''We are committed to provide you the relief and we are very serious to implement it in a time-bound manner,'' he said.

During his visit, the Minister personally verified the accounts relating to the debt waiver and relief scheme and expressed satisfaction over the work done at the branch.

Stating that no eligible farmer would be left out of the scheme.

Mr Chidambaram directed the officials to take care of even those farers, who were not eligible and include them in the scheme.

He said the entire crop loan availed by the small and marginal farmers before the cut off date of March 31, 2007, would be waived off, while others would get an one-time discount of 25 per cent if they repay the entire loan.

Mr Chidambaram informed that there was a provision to file objections, if any,'' if the name of any eligible beneficiary was left out then the farmer concerned could approach their branches and lodge a complaint. The designated officer of the branch concerned would look into the complaint and give a written reply on the bank's action, he said.

He assured fresh loans to the farmers whose loans had been written off. ''The Ministry have issued directions on the matter,'' he said.

Vijaya Bank Chairman and Managing Director Prakash Mallya, Canara Bank CMD M B N Rao and other senior officials of the banks were also present on the occasion.

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