Question : INTEREST CHARGED ON DEBT WAIVER SCHEME

(a) whether the Government proposes to provide funds to co-operative banks to reimburse the amount waived off by these banks under the Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme-2008;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has received any proposal in this regard from various State Governments;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon; and

(e) the time by which such reimbursement is likely to be made by the Union Government?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a) to (e): The Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 was implemented by Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Cooperative Banks, Local Area Banks and Regional Rural Banks. The Debt Waiver portion of the Scheme closed on 30.6.2008. The Debt Relief portion of the Scheme closed on 30.6.2010.

Under the Scheme, Rs.52,275.55 crore have been released by the Government through Reserve Bank of India and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to give benefit to 3.45 crore farmers.

In respect of State Cooperative Banks, Rs.18305.55 crore have been released by Government to give benefit to 1.297 crore farmers.