Loan waiver form released with CM Kamal Nath’s photo

BHOPAL: Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the Kamal Nath government is set to exploit the issue of loan waiver. The mega scheme, which was announced by the Congress party in its manifesto, will benefit almost 55 lakh farmers. On Thursday, the state government released a 5-page application form with a picture of chief minister Kamal Nath printed on all pages.
Once list of eligible candidates is available on January 15, farmers would start filling up forms. Chief minister Kamal Nath will hold a press conference in Bhopal on January 15 announcing initiation of process of loan waiving, said minister for public relations PC Sharma. All ministers will also hold press conference about the same in districts.
The process to identify beneficiaries will begin on January 15 and separate lists with names of beneficiaries and their bank account numbers will be put up at village panchayat buildings. Information about different application processes will be provided in gram sabhas, scheduled to be held on January 26.

Principal secretary agriculture Rajesh Rajora said process of data entry on the portal created for loan waiving scheme would start at gram sabhas or other places designated by the district collector from January 26.
Nearly 55 lakh farmers, including 35 lakh small and marginal farmers, will get benefit from the scheme under which loan up to Rs 2 lakh of each farmer would be waived . Loans taken on or after April 1, 2007, from cooperative, rural and nationalised banks qualify for the waiver.
The government announced programmes would be organised to distribute loan waiver certificates. The money will be transferred directly to bank accounts of beneficiaries from February 22. Farmers, who have partially or fully paid their loans will also receive their Kisan Samman Patras the same day. The waiver will first be extended to small and marginal farmer.
Sources said the government was making efforts to finish a major part of loan waver before model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha election comes into force. In last three Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission was making announcement of polls in first week of March.