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Lukewarm response to NABARD’s scheme
There have been few takers in the district for the milch cattle subsidy scheme of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural
- SC leaders complain of bankers’ apathy and lack of publicity regarding the scheme
- Opine that scheme definitely has the potential to uplift the SC beneficiaries
- NABARD officials deny allegations
Kakinada: There have been few takers in the district for the milch cattle subsidy scheme of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).In a bid to encourage self-employment and promote dairy farming extensively, NABARD had introduced a subsidy scheme for all sections of society initially but had then curtailed it only to SCs from July 2016. NABARD had earmarked a capital of Rs 5 crore for the scheme across all districts of the State.
With no restrictions on age, NABARD had been encouraging the purchase of 10 buffaloes at a cost of Rs 6 lakh, under the scheme. For calves, the maximum permissible number was 20 with a cap of Rs 5.30 lakh. A 33 percent subsidy was available in both categories. In the last nine- month period in the present financial year, only 120 cattle have been purchased under the scheme and the amount of subsidy extended in total has been only Rs 24 lakh for a total of 42 beneficiaries.
While some of the beneficiaries have chosen two to three animals, some have availed of the maximum limit. However SC leaders complain that lack of publicity and an indifferent attitude by bankers is killing the scheme.
Veteran Congress leader and leader of SC social sections from Rajamahendravaram Nakka Sri Nagesh observed that the scheme would definitely help uplift the SC social sections immensely. But he said that support from the banks was not forthcoming. “They quote one reason or other to evade sanctioning the loans and at times mandate targets for the particular scheme,” said Sri Nagesh. NABARD East Godavari AGM Dr KVS Prasad said that it was incorrect to say that there was inadequate publicity for the scheme.
We discuss and inform the managers of various banks at mandal division and at district level meetings about the scheme. “We have Rs 6 crore funds at our disposal at State level in AP,” said the AGM. Speaking on the issue, East Godavari Lead Bank district manager B V Subrahmanyam denied lack of support from bankers for the scheme and said that the bankers had been extending funds to the scheme as per the norms.
Unlike other schemes, NABARD will release the subsidy only after extension of loan to the beneficiary and the bankers will have to monitor the process, clarified the LDM.
L Anjaneyulu
