The State Government in Hyderabad is planning to divide farmers into three categories – poor, marginal, and rich farmers – before rolling out the farm loan waiver scheme. Loans up to Rs 2 lakh will be forgiven, with the official order expected to be issued within a week.
Priority will be given to poor and marginal farmers with small land holdings and significant loan debt. Farmers owning more than 10 acres in the ayacut area will only receive benefits after their financial status is assessed by local authorities.
The government aims to ensure that the loan waiver scheme primarily benefits farmers who rely entirely on farming for their livelihood. Information on farmers living in villages and engaged in farming every season has been collected by the State Agriculture Department.
Farmers with large land holdings over 10 acres who are not residing in their village and have leased out their land to tenant farmers will have lower priority. The Agriculture department will use this data to categorize farmers and prioritize assistance based on need.
The government is considering excluding income tax payers, government employees, and elected representatives from the loan waiver scheme. To expedite the process, rich farmers who voluntarily opt out of the scheme may be acknowledged.
Careful consideration is being given to formulating guidelines to prevent opposition from the farming community over the loan waiver scheme. Securing funds for the Rs 30,000 crore scheme poses a challenge, with priority given to providing relief to poor farmers burdened by institutional debts.
Efforts are underway to complete the implementation of the loan waiver scheme by August 15, with a focus on supporting those most in need within the farming community.
