CM unhappy as crop loan target remains unachieved

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was unhappy with bankers for not achieving last year’s crop loan disbursement target. He has now asked bankers to ensure that farmers who have received the farm loan waiver from the government are made aware that they are eligible for a new loan.

The state-level bankers committee approved a credit plan of  Rs 85,464 crore for farmers in which Rs 59,059 crore will be disbursed for crop loan and Rs 26,405 crore for term loans.

The State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) meeting was organised at the Sahyadri guesthouse on Thursday and was presided over by the chief minister. Crop and term loan credit and other credit plans were discussed in the meeting. The SLBC has finalised the credit plan of  Rs 5,7500 crore for the year 2018-19.

While addressing the loan waiver and crop loan issue, CM Fadnavis expressed his displeasure at achieving the crop loan target of only 47 per cent. “We enhance the targets, but if not achieved, then it's of no use,” he remarked at the meeting.

The state's target for the current year is Rs 62,663 crore but has now been lowered to Rs 59,059 crore, which is still more than last year's target of Rs 54,221 crore.

Though the state has declared the list of farmers who received waiver and incentive scheme benefit, information has not yet reached the farmers. Mr Fadnavis told the bankers, “Bankers should reach out to the farmers, inform them and give new loan.

Banks are not working properly and farmers are blaming them and the government. We are getting feedback during our tours and meetings across the state.” He added, “Banks should increase staff in their branches and establish a connect with the farmers, behaving as if they have equal responsibility, just like the government, about the farmers.”