Siddipet – Former Minister and Siddipet MLA Harish Rao has voiced strong criticism against the Congress government for its delayed application of the crop loan waiver scheme. Rao highlighted that this delay is causing Important distress among farmers, who are now being harassed by bankers to pay interest accumulated over the past seven months before their loans can be waived.

Bankers Harassing Farmers

Harish Rao highlights that the new guidelines for the crop loan waiver are restrictive and unfair, leading to increased problems for the farming community. According to him, the guidelines mandate that farmers possess white ration cards to qualify for the waiver. This requirement, he argues, is unjust as it excludes many farmers who do not have these cards but still deserve the waiver. Additionally, the reliance on PM Kisan data further exacerbates the issue, excluding a significant number of farmers who benefited from the Rythu Bandhu scheme.

Interest Accumulation Causing New Debts

Rao pointed out that the delay in implementing the loan waiver has resulted in the accumulation of interest on the loans, forcing farmers into new debts. Bankers are now demanding that farmers pay this interest before their loans can be waived, adding to the financial burden on the already distressed farmers. Rao stressed that the government should bear the interest costs and provide clear instructions to banks to stop collecting interest from farmers.

Demand for Government Action

Harish Rao demanded immediate government intervention to rectify the situation. He called for the government to bear the interest accrued and to simplify the loan waiver guidelines to ensure all deserving farmers benefit from the scheme. Rao insisted that the government must fulfill its pre-election promise without imposing restrictive conditions that only create more problems for farmers.

Conclusion

The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by farmers due to bureaucratic delays and restrictive guidelines in the loan waiver scheme. Harish Rao’s demands underscore the need for prompt and fair action from the government to alleviate the financial distress of farmers and ensure they receive the promised relief.

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