The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh which is based in the agricultural sector has raised the demands that the Centre should waive the loans taken through Kisan Credit Card for farmers who have lost their lives due to Covid-19.
The BKS has expressed it to the Ministry of Finance and Agriculture that the Centre should consider the situation with leniency which has been induced by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and should waiver the pending dues.
A BKS functionary stated, “We had urged the government to extend the increase in credit limit till June which has been agreed to. Now we are hopeful that it will consider our request to waive off the loans of those famers who passed away because of the pandemic.”
The KCC provides loans to farmers at a feasible rate of interest which aids in cost management of farming, harvest and other related expenses. The functionary said, “It is a good scheme that benefits the farmers; the interest subsidies offered by the state and the central government reduces the burden on the farmers considerably.”
The BKS further appealed to the government to assure that all provisions from fertilisers to seeds which are needed for sowing of Kharif crops should be provided to the farmers amid the lockdown.
The functionary further said, “Many states have imposed a lockdown though essential services are being provided. However, we have asked the government to ensure that farmers can procure all that they need smoothly and without any impediments.”
BKS General Secretary, Badri Narayan Chowdhury urged the government to take back orders adhering to the import of pulses.
Regarding the same, the functionary quoted, “We are hopeful that just as the government agreed to our demand to continue with subsidy for fertilisers, it will consider the consequences that the free import of pulses will have on the earnings of the farmers.”
