BJP promises interest-free agri loans to farmers in Bihar

PATNA: In an attempt to woo farmers in Bihar, the BJP today announced that it will provide them "interest-free agriculture loans" if the party comes to power in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

"We want to announce that farmers in the state will be provided interest-free agriculture loans if the people of Bihar vote our government to power in the Assembly elections. Zero interest will be charged from them be they short-term or long term agriculture loans," senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters.

He however, said that such loans will be given to only those farmers who are not defaulters and "repay their loans on time".

Currently the farmers in Bihar have to pay 4 per cent interest on loans taken for agricultural purposes and the BJP leader said that zero per cent interest on such loans will "ensure development of agriculture and increase of productivity in the state."

Modi added that the BJP will include the announcement in its manifesto while going for the state polls scheduled later this year. A few BJP ruled states including Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, have already implemented this measure.

Targeting the Nitish Kumar led JD(U) government in Bihar as "anti-farmer", the senior BJP leader said that the scheme of interest subsidy on agriculture loans was lying defunct in the state for the last two years.

"The anti-farmer face of Nitish Kumar and his government has been revealed. Be it hailstorm, unseasonal rains or any calamity, Kumar never visits those struck by them. He is not concerned about farmers at all, while everybody from ministers to officials indulge in "bandarbant" (sharing) of compensation meant for them (farmers)," he said.