HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy announced on Thursday that the state has waived ₹6,098 crore in farm loans, positioning itself as a model for farmers’ welfare across the country. To celebrate this achievement, a ‘thanksgiving’ meeting will be organized for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Warangal by the end of the month.
Rahul Gandhi had announced the ‘Warangal Declaration’ on May 6, 2022, before the assembly elections, promising a crop loan waiver if Congress came to power. CM Revanth Reddy is expected to visit Delhi on Saturday to personally invite Rahul Gandhi to the Warangal meeting.
Describing the one-time farm loan waiver of up to ₹1 lakh as a “historic event,” the CM emphasized that this is the first time a state government has fulfilled such a significant promise, amounting to ₹31,000 crore, within eight months of taking office. He officially launched the loan waiver scheme at the secretariat.
Revanth Reddy had made loan waiver a key campaign promise during the Lok Sabha elections, pledging to complete the initiative by August 15. Following the launch, a resolution was passed by farmers at Rythu Vedikas, expressing gratitude to AICC leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge. The proposed ‘thanksgiving’ event is planned to be held at the Arts College ground in Warangal.
The initial ₹6,098 crore released by the government will clear loans up to ₹1 lakh. The second installment will cover loans up to ₹1.5 lakh, and the third installment will address loans up to ₹2 lakh by the end of August.
Revanth Reddy criticized the previous BRS government for failing to keep its loan waiver promises. He pointed out that during its first term (2014-2018), the BRS government released only ₹12,000 crore out of the promised ₹16,000 crore, and in its second term, it released just ₹9,000 crore out of the pledged ₹12,000 crore for loan waivers. Over the past decade, the BRS government has released no more than ₹21,000 crore despite the distress among farmers.
Addressing confusion stirred by some leaders who linked the scheme to possession of a ration card, the CM clarified that only the pattadar passbook is required for loan clearance. He urged farmers not to believe the false propaganda, stating that the ration card is merely for family identification purposes.
Following the scheme’s launch, Congress leaders expressed their satisfaction, highlighting that despite the financial burden, the Congress party stood by its promise. Celebrations erupted at Gandhi Bhavan, where Congress leaders poured milk over cut-outs of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and distributed sweets.
