2.3L farmers to get debt-free certificates by month-end

Cooperation Minister Bandeppa Kashempur on Friday said the process of disbursal of debt-free certificates to around 2.3 lakh farmers who have availed loans from cooperative banks would be completed by this month-end.

Speaking to reporters here, Kashempur said cooperative banks had sent claims worth Rs 1,050 crore, lent to 2,30,201 farmers between July and October.

“Presently, the data entry is on. Once that process is completed, the department will forward the information to the Finance department,” he said.

The government would clear the loans in the next 15 days, he added. A total of 22 lakh farmers have availed loans to the tune of Rs 9,448 crore this year. Last year, the government had cleared loans worth Rs 8,165 crore.

Kashempur said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy would launch the much-talked-about Badavara Bandhu scheme in Bengaluru on November 22. Under this scheme, street vendors can avail Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 zero interest loans, which they can repay within 100 days.

As many as 53,000 vendors across the state will benefit from this scheme, he said. The government will disburse loans via mobile banks in prominent markets. While three such mobile banks will be stationed in Bengaluru city, the other districts will get one mobile bank each.

The scheme is aimed at rescuing street vendors from the clutches of private money lenders.

“The scheme has already become very popular - we have received a good response. People are saying it is a good and effective scheme. The vendor can repay the entire loan amount within 100 days,” he added.

The minister said the department’s other scheme - Kayaka - would be launched this month itself. Under this, self-help groups (SHGs) can avail loans up to Rs 10 lakh for entrepreneurship. The department has identified around 3,000 such SHGs. While Rs 5 lakh will be interest free, the remainder Rs 5 lakh will be charged 4% interest. The SHGs will have up to three years to repay the loan.

The department will observe the 65th National Cooperative Week between November 14 and 20, by organising seminars and conferences in Bidar, Sirsi (Uttara Kannada), Raichur, Bengaluru, Haveri, Kolar and Shivamogga.