Andhra farmers to get cheques under debt-redemption scheme

Amaravati: The TDP government is all set to dispense cheques to farmers to clear dues under the debt-redemption scheme introduced during 2014-15. The state government has already disbursed more than Rs 15,500 crore to farmers out of the targeted Rs 24,000 crore in three installments.

The government deposited Rs 7,565 crore in 54.98 lakh accounts in the first installment, Rs 3,303 crore in the second installment and Rs 3,630 crore in the third installment apart from the interests for delayed payment. Another Rs 384 crore was distributed to horticulture farmers, who were in debt trap, explained the officials of the Planning Department.

Now, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has decided to distribute the remaining Rs 8,000 crore to beneficiaries by providing cheques directly to farmers on the lines of cheques of Rs 10,000 which were given to the self-help group members under the Pasupu Kunkuma scheme.

C Kutumbarao, vice-chairman of AP Planning Board, has informed that they will disburse the due amount of two installments shortly to the farmers under this scheme.

As this is an ongoing scheme, the government can disburse the amount into the accounts of the beneficiaries even when the election code comes into effect.

In fact, the state government has given bond papers to the beneficiaries from second instalment to fifth instalment. The government is contemplating organising meetings with farmers to distribute the cheques, according to officials.