State Seeks Incentive for Farmers

The State Government has requested the Centre to convert the short- term crop loans (STCL) to medium-term crop loan (MTCL) and allow additional interest incentive of 3 per cent for the farmers affected by cyclone Phailin.

The State Government has requested the Centre to convert the short- term crop loans (STCL) to medium-term crop loan (MTCL) and allow additional interest incentive of 3 per cent for the farmers affected by  cyclone Phailin.

Farmers of 18 districts of the State have sustained crop loss of more than 50 per cent, because of the cyclone in October and subsequent floods in two phases.

State Government has enhanced rabi programme for this year by almost 30 per cent more than last year. And to achieve the target, the State Government has already announced to provide fresh loans to convert STCL to MTCL.

Official sources said the State Government has revised crop loan target from `2,500 crore to `3,500 crore for ensuing rabi season to meet  increasing credit needs of farmers affected by Phailin.

Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra has written a letter to the Finance Ministry in this connection.

The farmers deserve to get MTCL with interest on a par with crop loans and additional interest incentive on the crop loans. Similarly, he has also argued for allowing additional interest incentive of 3 per cent for MTCL for the farmers who would repay their converted loans on or before due dates fixed for the purpose.

Meanwhile, Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) has submitted memoranda to Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding bonus of `500 for farmers for paddy procurement.

The NKS has demanded that the affected farmers should be provided allowance of `2,000 per month till the next crop.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com