The ruling Congress in Telangana is planning a ‘thanksgiving’ public meeting in Warangal to thank party leaders for including the farm loan waiver as a promise during the Assembly elections. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy launched the farm loan waiver scheme on Thursday, releasing Rs 6,098 crore in the first phase to waive loans up to Rs 1 lakh.
An estimated amount of Rs 31,000 crore is needed to waive all loans up to Rs 2 lakh taken by farmers in the state. The government plans to hold a public meeting in Warangal, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had promised to implement the loan waiver scheme if they came to power.
Revanth Reddy stated that he would invite Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to attend the meeting. The loan waiver scheme will benefit all eligible farmers before the August 15 deadline, with arrangements being made to clear dues up to Rs 1.50 lakh by July-end and those with Rs 2 lakh dues by August 15.
The Chief Minister criticized the previous BRS government for burdening the state exchequer with a debt of Rs 7 lakh crore, leading to a monthly interest payment of Rs 7,000 crore. He highlighted that Rs 29,000 crore has been spent so far to implement the six guarantees.
Revanth Reddy praised Telangana for being a role model in implementing the farm loan waiver scheme and criticized the KCR government for failing to fulfill its promise of a loan waiver. He interacted with farmers who benefited from the scheme and assured them of continued support.
Farmers from various districts shared their struggles under the previous government due to the debt burden. The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to constructing the Pranahita Chevella lift scheme to provide irrigation facilities to Adilabad district.
