In a significant move to support farmers, the Jharkhand government has decided to raise the loan waiver limit for farmers to Rs 2 lakh. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday, where the proposal to expand the 'Krishi Rin Mafi Yojana' was approved. Previously, the loan waiver limit was Rs 50,000.
Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel announced that this new limit will benefit approximately 1.91 lakh farmers. The deadline for this scheme is set for March 31, 2020. The state government had initially announced a waiver of crop loans up to Rs 50,000 in 2021-22, benefiting over 4.73 lakh farmers and providing banks with more than Rs 1,900 crore.
Monthly Honorarium of Village Heads to Be Doubled
The cabinet also approved a total of 37 proposals, including an amendment to the Jharkhand Executive Rules 2000 to transfer matters related to central agencies to the Cabinet Secretariat and Vigilance Department. Additionally, the monthly honorarium for village heads of tribal villages will be doubled. The honorarium for Manki-Munda will increase from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month, and for village heads, it will rise from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per month. The honorarium for Dakua will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month.
Air Ambulance Fare Reduction
In another significant decision, the fare for the state-run air ambulance service has been reduced by up to 50 percent. The one-way fare from Ranchi to Delhi has been cut from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 3.10 lakh. Vandana Dadel stated, "The fare reduction aims to benefit the people."
Positive Impact on Agriculture
After the meeting, Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed journalists, describing the decision to increase the agricultural loan limit as a milestone for the state. He emphasized that this move will create a positive environment for agriculture and provide significant relief to farmers. Soren also highlighted the importance of increasing the honorarium for traditional village heads, which will cost the state Rs 85.59 crore.