AP Govt to help tenant farmers secure loans from banks

Amaravati: The government is laying special focus on providing institutional credit to tenant farmers in the State. The State government asked officials to take steps to provide bank loans and other benefits to tenant farmers. 

At a review meeting with District Collectors and other revenue officers on Tuesday, in-charge Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha directed them to issue loan eligibility cards to tenant farmers. He said the loan eligibility cards would enable the tenant farmers to get loans from banks.

The Chief Secretary made it clear that the revenue officers must reach their targets within the stipulated time. He appreciated West Godavari district administration for completing 100 per cent distribution of loan eligibility cards.

Around 2.1 lakh cards were distributed to tenant farmers in West Godavari. In East Godavari, about 1 lakh loan eligibility cards have been distributed so far against the total target of 1.16 lakh cards. 

The government also gave instructions to officials to receive applications through Mee Seva centres for Rythu Bima. Punetha said the required software would be put in place within three days and applications would be received from farmers within 45 days.

He also directed to provide wide publicity for the insurance scheme and the village revenue assistants should create awareness among the farmers over the insurance scheme and other benefits to farmers from the State government.  

Revenue officials were also given directions to lay special focus on implementing Chandranna Pellikanuka scheme and issue caste certificates without any delay.  Official said that Bhudaar programme would be taken up in all revenue mandals by July 20.