by Ashis Sinha
Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren today announced the transfer of Rs 400.60 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to waive loans for 176,977 farmers under the agricultural loan waiver scheme, covering amounts up to Rs 2 lakh.
During the event, held at Prabhat Tara Maidan, the Chief Minister launched a new initiative to increase the incentive for milk production from Rs 2 per litre to Rs 5 per litre for Jharkhand’s dairy farmers. Additionally, a crop insurance scheme was introduced, allowing farmers to secure coverage for just Re 1, benefiting an estimated 1.6 million farmers.
In his address, Soren clarified that the loan waiver is part of a broader “Kisan Samman Yojana” aimed at supporting farmers, rather than simply a loan waiver. He criticized the BJP, accusing them of attempting to benefit capitalists at the expense of farmers and referenced the successful withdrawal of three contentious agricultural laws after a year of protests.
Soren also remarked on his past experiences with political opposition, asserting, “They may try to intimidate me, but I will not back down. I will continue to fight against those who seek to undermine the rights of farmers.”
Finance Minister Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, Agriculture Minister Deepika Singh Pandey, Labor and Employment Minister Satyanand Bhokta, and Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Manjhi were among the dignitaries present at the event.
