Crop loans worth Rs 2,500 crore disbursed in Chhattisgarh

Crop loans to the tune of over Rs 2,500 crore have been disbursed so far during the ongoing kharif season in Chhattisgarh.

State Cooperative Bank (APEX Bank)has set a target to disburse Rs 2,800 crore interest-free short-term agriculture loans during Kharif season 2016-17through its primary agriculture cooperative societies, Ashok Bajaj, chairman of the bank said on Sunday.

Sum to the tune of Rs 2, 559 crore have so far been disbursed (at the rate of 0 %) to 9.29 lakh farmers as short term crop loan which is 91.39 per cent of the set target, Bajaj said.

Out of the total loans distributed, Rs 17, 477 crore has been distributed as cash while Rs 8, 119 crore in form of agricultural related materials, he said.

The last date of loan distribution is September 30.

As per the policy of government, farmers of state are being provided short-term agricultural loan without interest for both kharif and rabi season. The interest incurred on loans given to farmers borne by State Government and Centre.

An amount of Rs 159 crore had been given away as loan to 59,584 farmers of Raipur, Rs 197.90 crore to 77, 334 farmers of Balodabazar-Bhatapara, Rs 166.94 crore, 51,656 farmers in Mahasamund, Rs 178.48 crore to 56,114 farmers of Durg, Rs 231.71 crore to 74,000 farmers in Bemetara and Rs 251 crore in Rajnandgaon to 1.05 lakh farmers, he said.

Besides, loans were also distributed in other districts smoothly, he said.