Implementing the much-hyped crop loan waiver, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that his government had not done any favour, it has just bestowed the right back to farmers because ‘the agrarian class has remained the most neglected section in last 15 years’.
The UP government launched the implementation of crop loan waiver scheme with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with Union Home minister Rajnath Singh distributing loan waiver certificates to farmers at a function held at Rs Smriti Upvan’ in lucknow on Thursday.
“For the last 15 years, UP has been plagued by politics of caste and religion. Farmers never were in the agenda of previous governments. It is the first time that UP is witnessing farmer- centric politics under which the Government is working for farmers’ welfare,” Yogi said in his address.
The CM said that the government was not doing any favour by waiving of crop loans. It is not an act of kindness. “Koi ehsaan nahi kar rahe hain. Hum unka adhikar vaapis kar rahe hai,” Yogi said as thousands of farmers from different parts of lucknow, Kanpur and Unnao clapped in appreciation,
At least 7541 farmers were given loan waiver certificates at the inaugural function. Crop loans of around 86 lakh farmers up to Rs 1 lakh will be waived of in the coming days in a systematic manner. Over 70 lakh verifications have been done so far and their accounts have been linked with Aadhar card. The whole exercise cost the state exchequer over Rs 36,000 crore.
“This Government is working to double farmers’ income by 2022. Steps have been taken to empower them financially. This year, the state witnessed a record wheat purchase of 37 lakh tons against 7 lakh tons last year. Similarly, the support price of potato was announced and we allowed farmers to export their produce and even provided them subsidy,” Yogi said adding that the government will extend a subsidy of Rs 15 per quintal over and above the MSP on paddy.
The CM also spoke about electrification of villages and government’s commitment to providing pucca houses to farmers.
“Farmers are facing problems of stray cattle and the government is aware of the problem. Grazing lands in villages have been encroached by land grabbers. The government is preparing a list so that we can get back those grazing land where animals could graze freely. The Gau Sewa Ayog has been asked to make arrangements in this regard,” he said.
In his address, Rajnath Singh said that the income of farmers could increase if the production cost was brought down. “The Modi Government has made urea and fertilizers cheaper. Besides, new insurance policy of farmers has been announced where the beneficiary needs to pay just 5 per cent of the total insured money, while the rest is paid by Union Government,” he said.
Singh said that all 585 mandis have been linked electronically giving a level playing field to farmers to sell his produce wherever he feels right. “The government is also promoting drip irrigation and organic farming by extending them subsidy,” the Union Home minister said.
Two Deputy CMs, Dr Dinesh Sharma and Keshav Prasad Maurya also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile, farmers were elated while receiving the certificates. Manish Chaudhary whose loan of Rs 78,000 was waived off, said that it was the happiest day of his life as the bank managers would not come knocking at his door.
Farmer Dinesh Singh from Mohanlalganj said: “The loan waiver scheme was implemented without any hindrance. I met bank officials and showed them papers. They asked for Aadhar card and that was all.” His loan of Rs 1 lakh was waived off in one stroke.