Over 200 farmers from the Caste, Religion and Party Independent Tamil Nadu Farmers Association passed a resolution at Somayyanur near Ganuvai in Coimbatore refusing to repay cooperative bank loans until the government fulfills its election promise of complete loan waiver. They also protested against ration card-based restrictions on eligibility.
Coimbatore: Farmers in the Somayyanur area near Ganuvai in Coimbatore have passed a resolution stating they will not repay bank loans until the Tamil Nadu government completely waives off their debts as promised during elections.
A protest demonstration was held at Somayyanur under the leadership of State General Secretary Kanthsamy on behalf of the Caste, Religion and Party Independent Tamil Nadu Farmers Association. Over 200 farmers from surrounding areas participated in this protest.
The farmers passed a resolution declaring they will not repay loans taken from cooperative banks until the Tamil Nadu government completely waives off the debts as stated in their election promise.
Ration Card-Based Restrictions
Speaking to journalists afterwards, State General Secretary Kanthsamy said, "There are many opinions prevailing regarding agricultural crop loan waiver. Each political party takes a different stand on this. From the opposition side, voices are raised more on behalf of farmers. As far as we are concerned, the government has made a promise and has fulfilled it to a small extent, which cannot be denied."
"Government officials are deceiving farmers. They say that only one person per ration card will get loan waiver, and even if there are two farmers, they won't get it because there is only one ration card. This was not mentioned in the promise. Therefore, our demand is that complete loan waiver should be provided to everyone," Kanthsamy stated.
Future of Cooperative Banks at Risk
"Until our loans are waived off, none of us will repay the loans. Because the government has given a promise and then backed away, the cooperative banks that have been functioning until now will stop functioning. This is because they have created a mindset that no one is ready to repay loans," he warned.
"We expect the new government to call everyone and take appropriate action. We will not fall into the trap laid by others," Kanthsamy said.
The protest was attended by over 200 farmers including State Vice President Arranganathan, Treasurer Shanmugam, State Organizer Prabhu, North District Secretary Narasimharaj, Vice President Perumalsamy, S V N Sekar, Govindaraj, D T K Kathirvel, N C K S Chandramohan, and V M D Ravi.
A protest demonstration was held at Somayyanur under the leadership of State General Secretary Kanthsamy on behalf of the Caste, Religion and Party Independent Tamil Nadu Farmers Association. Over 200 farmers from surrounding areas participated in this protest.
The farmers passed a resolution declaring they will not repay loans taken from cooperative banks until the Tamil Nadu government completely waives off the debts as stated in their election promise.
Ration Card-Based Restrictions
Speaking to journalists afterwards, State General Secretary Kanthsamy said, "There are many opinions prevailing regarding agricultural crop loan waiver. Each political party takes a different stand on this. From the opposition side, voices are raised more on behalf of farmers. As far as we are concerned, the government has made a promise and has fulfilled it to a small extent, which cannot be denied."
"Government officials are deceiving farmers. They say that only one person per ration card will get loan waiver, and even if there are two farmers, they won't get it because there is only one ration card. This was not mentioned in the promise. Therefore, our demand is that complete loan waiver should be provided to everyone," Kanthsamy stated.
Future of Cooperative Banks at Risk
"Until our loans are waived off, none of us will repay the loans. Because the government has given a promise and then backed away, the cooperative banks that have been functioning until now will stop functioning. This is because they have created a mindset that no one is ready to repay loans," he warned.
"We expect the new government to call everyone and take appropriate action. We will not fall into the trap laid by others," Kanthsamy said.
The protest was attended by over 200 farmers including State Vice President Arranganathan, Treasurer Shanmugam, State Organizer Prabhu, North District Secretary Narasimharaj, Vice President Perumalsamy, S V N Sekar, Govindaraj, D T K Kathirvel, N C K S Chandramohan, and V M D Ravi.