Opposition members staged a walk out on the monsoon session of Chhattisgarh assembly on Thursday claiming the benefit of farm loan waivers was not reaching farmers.

Raising the issue through a call attention motion moved by BJP members Brijmohan Agrawal, Ajay Chandrakar and former chief minister and JCC (J) patron Ajit Jogi, the member said one farmer Mohan Ram Nirala of Charaidand of Jashpur district had committed suicide as the loan he had taken through Kisan Credit Card was not waived off. They alleged that mainly small and medium farmers were unable to take loan as banks were     denying it. They demanded that loan waiver be extended to defaulting farmers also as per promise made to them.

Cooperative minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam listing out the steps taken by state government, said within three days after formation of the government, decision of loan waiver was taken. First the cooperative banks were given priority and it was further extended to the nationalised banks, he said.

Then defaulters were also considered and one-time settlement choice had already been given, the minister informed the House. When opposition members wanted clear cut time-scheduled for loan waiver implementation, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said state government was committed to loan waiver. He pointed out that as there were large numbers of nationalised banks and that they have their own process, it was taking time, but regular interaction was underway. “The process is taking time.  For the first time, the farmers are loan free in the state,” he added.

Ajit Jogi wanted to know whether the government would waive off loans taken from private banks and local money-lenders and also long term loans.

The minister replied that the decision of loan waiver was taken for short-term loans as promised.

Not satisfied with the reply, the opposition members walked out of the House.