Farmers’ organisations in the delta region have expressed disappointment over the cooperative loan waiver announced by the State government on Monday, saying it was “discriminatory” and would not benefit farmers at large.

The government had announced a waiver of cooperative loans up to ₹50,000 for marginal farmers and 50% of the amount for small farmers. The quantum of waiver decreases as the loan amount increases. Small and marginal farmers, who had borrowed more than ₹1 lakh, and big farmers will be provided a flat waiver of ₹5,000.

Farmers’ organisations contended that the announcement fell way short of the promise made by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in its election manifesto.

“The waiver will not benefit farmers in any way. The TVK, in its manifesto, had promised full waiver for small farmers and 50% waiver for big farmers. Farmers believed the word of TVK founder C. Joseph Vijay and voted for him. He should not lose his credibility now by implementing a waiver scheme that does not bring any benefit to farmers, citing Reserve Bank of India guidelines and financial burden. The Chief Minister should reconsider this plan,” said P.R. Pandian, president, Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Pandian feels that the government, as an immediate measure, could have stopped recovery of farm loan dues and come out with the waiver later.

“We had suggested this to the Chief Minister when we met him recently. If there was a financial constraint, he could have taken some time. We are only asking him to implement what he had promised,” he said.

Farmers argue that the waiver is “discriminatory” as it differentiates between small, marginal and big farmers. “It is absolutely discriminatory and unacceptable and sets a wrong precedent,” contended Swamimalai Vimalnathan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, blaming lack of clarity among the elected representatives and bureaucrats.

“The procurement price is the same for all farmers. The waiver plan will only a bad name for the government, and it will reflect in the local body elections. The government should revoke this and come out with a fresh order. The waiver should cover loans taken till the end of financial year and be applicable to not only crop loans but also for those who had taken credit for allied activities,” said Mr.Vimalnathan.

The government should have taken a clear stand and decided to implement the scheme after its financial situation improved.

“This is just like offering a rebate. It is unacceptable to come up with a plan which deceives the farmers. The government should withdraw the scheme and come up with a full and proper waiver as promised,” said Cauvery Dhanapalan, president of Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Sangankalin Kootamaippu.

When compared to the scale of finance adopted for the disbursement of crop loans, a waiver of the loan amount of up to ₹50,000 would in no way bring any succour to the farmers, observed G. Srinivasan of Ganapathi Agraharam, a progressive farmer.