@CMOTamilnadu on Tuesday came up with a revised scheme of waiver of crop loans taken by farmers from cooperative societies.
As against the earlier announcement that covered loans up to ₹50,000, the latest move pertains to the loans up to ₹75,000. Also, it covers big farmers too, whereas in the earlier scheme, only small and marginal farmers were benefitted. In the case of those having outstanding loans exceeding ₹75,000, the relief will be ₹35,000 each.
Today's announcement would please certain sections of farmers. That way, I welcome it.
However, the ruling TVK should discuss with all other political parties and farmers' associations and arrive at a consensus that loan waiver schemes will be formulated only when there is distress due to natural or manmade factors and there will be no such scheme just because a commitment has been made in the run-up to the election or a new regime has taken charge.
Any loan waiver scheme in future should target the needy and not everyone.