The Amaravati farmers have been facing a debt crisis as no one came forward to give them loans after they voluntarily contributed their resourceful lands for the construction of the capital Amaravati.
Banks are not giving loans because they do not have land in hand. Agricultural credit societies are not giving loans either. This is the reward for the farmers who sacrificed their lands for the capital! This credit issue, which the farmer could not even imagine when the land was given for the capital, has now become a curse for them.
While losing credit is one thing, losing everything by falling into the hands of private financiers is another. It is sad that many of the farmers have now lost even the plots given by the government and are becoming homeless.
The previous YSRCP government stopped the construction of the capital in a biased manner. It played around by not giving rent to the farmers. With no work in hand and no rent, the capital farmers got into debt trap. They had to take loans for their children’s education and survival of their families.
In the past, agricultural loans were available on farms. Otherwise, they used to mortgage their farms in banks and get loans at low interest rates. Since that was not an option, they had to depend on private financiers. Farmers are relying on private financiers as banks are reluctant to provide loans on returnable plots given by the government.
However, instead of mortgaging the plots, they have registered sale deeds stating that the farmers have sold the plots to them. Along with the high interest rate, the farmers themselves have had to bear these costs.
Many have lost their plots due to unavailability of loans that have become burdensome with interest and compound interest. Even if someone repays the loan, the farmer has to bear the cost of registering the plot in his name again. Farmers have to bear the registration costs twice.
Taking advantage of farmers’ debts, they are also buying plots at a huge discount. Currently, the prices of plots that are currently priced at Rs. 60,000-70,000 per yard are being reduced by Rs. 15,000 to 20,000.
The responsibility to save farmers from this situation lies with the CRDA and the state government. Even after 8 months of the coalition government coming to power, farmers are still aggrieved as no steps have been taken in that direction.