UP govt's farm loan waiver sparks hope for Odisha farmers

About 34 million farmers in the state have taken loans amounting to Rs 19,000 cr

The chorus for waiving off farm loans has grown louder in Odisha following the decision of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh to write off loans worth Rs 36,000 crore for the farmers.

At a review meeting with the chief minister Naveen Patnaik, the representatives of Bargarh and Puri panchayats today raised the demand for waiver of loans. Patnaik has been interacting with his party leaders at the grassroots level after rival BJP made unexpected gains at the recent panchayat elections, denting the ruling BJD's hegemony.

As per reports, about 34 million farmers in Odisha have availed loans for farming. About Rs 19,000 crore worth of farm loans are outstanding on farmers, of which Rs 12,000 crore is from the co-operation department. The balance is advanced by the commercial banks.

"We will certainly examine the matter (of farm loan waiver)", said Patnaik.

Pradeep Maharathy, minister for agriculture and farmer's empowerment said, "The state government is considering the matter (of writing of farm loans). The Chief minister has said that it will be examined".

However, co-operation minister Damodar Rout stoked a controversy by questioning the reason behind waiving off farm loans.

"The farmers are using the loan amount for getting their daughters married or consuming liquor instead of investing the amount in agriculture", Das said.