Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday, handed certificates to nine farmers, marking the launch of the 12,110 crore crop loan waiver scheme for more than 16 lakh ryots in the state.
The certificates note that loans obtained from cooperative banks were deferred and liable on January 31, 2021.
A government statement in Chennai said Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Agriculture Minister K P Anbalagan and senior government officials headed by Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan were involved in the event at the state secretariat.
On February 5, Palaniswami announced a waiver of approximately 12,110.74 crore crop loans used by 16,43,347 cooperative bank farmers.
In addition to the strong unseasonal rains, the move considered damage to crops amid back to back cyclones "Nivar" and "Burevi" last year.
The waiver will set the stage for farmers, Mr. Palaniswami said, to resume farming without any inconvenience.
Following the declaration, on 8 February, government instructions were released, paving the way for the introduction of the scheme.
