Govt will release 4% loan subsidy to farmers: CM

• Inaugurates 'Rythu Sadassu' in Guntur
• Lists pro-ryot schemes being implemented

Guntur : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said here on Thursday that the State government had decided to pay the remaining four per crop loan subsidy to farmers if they made regular repayments to banks. It had already made available three per cent subsidy to them. This would mean that farmers would get interest-free loans. He was speaking at the inaugural function of 'rythu sadassus' (farmers' meets) in the State, which are aimed at explaining the benefits being extended to farmers by the State. Such 'sadassus' would be held across the State from today, where the Congress leaders and officials would interact with farmers in every village.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister listed the schemes being implemented to benefit farmers by the government in the State and the Congress-led UPA at the Centre in the last nine years. He said the Central government had waived agricultural loans giving a great relief to farmers. Besides, it had brought down the rate of interest on crop loans from 11 to seven per cent. The government had further extended relief to farmers in the rate of interest by subsidising three per cent on regular repayment to the banks.A

The Chief Minister said the State government had earmarked Rs 5,500-crore budget for agriculture and allied sectors for 2013-14, giving a greater support to farmers. Listing the government initiatives, he said the government would allocate Rs 2,500 crore for mechanization of agriculture. The government had taken up construction of additional godowns to store 25 lakh metric tons of foodgrains in the State.A He recalled that the government had waived the non-agricultural land assessment tax for fishermen of Rs 450 crore, value added tax to poultry farmers of RS 50 crore and VAT exemption of Rs 80 crore to palm oil cultivators.

He said the government had come forward to procure fine variety paddy at Rs 1,500 a quintal, which was the highest ever minimum support price offered to farmers. Both the State and the Central governments had announced big support to farmers this year, he said, adding that the State alone was ready to extend Rs 1,663 crore as compensation to damaged crops. This amount was increased to Rs 10,000 per hectare. Compensation would be paid to those who lost crops in Nilam cyclone and other calamities.

Reiterating that the government was committed to give more support to farmers, Kiran Kumar Reddy urged them to make use of the facilities. He said officials of agriculture and allied activities like animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries, marketing and other departments would visit them during the 'rythu sadassus'. Scientists and agriculture officers would also help them in suggesting suitable crops. He asked farmers to make use of their services.