AP Govt to disburse special incentive to farmers on Nov 19

Hyderabad, Nov 12 (UNI) Coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Andhra Pradesh Government will provide a special incentive of Rs 5,000 to each of the over 32 lakh farmers uncovered by the Centre's debt waiver scheme, on November 19.

Addressing the 164th State Level Bankers Committee meeting here today, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said the Government took the conscious decision to ensure that farmers, who repaid their bank loans by taking loans from private money lenders, did not feel dejected.

Justifying the Centre's debt waiver of Rs 11,354 crore for 63.40 lakh farmers, he said this was only a one-time waiver as farmers had landed in a debt trap due to non-remunerative price of their produce during the previous regime.

While the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Paddy rose by only Rs 100 during the previous regime, the MSP increase was over 75 per cent to Rs 930 per quintal during the present regime, he claimed.

Noting that there was severe shortage of farm labourers, he urged banks to liberally advance loans to agriculturalists for the purchase of tractors and other farm equipment.

UNI SM AKM SW PM1635