Chennai, August 17: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Vijay Joseph on Monday announced an expanded crop-loan waiver scheme in the State Legislative Assembly, raising the total financial assistance package to ₹6,220 crore and extending relief to 13.34 lakh farmers across the state.

As his government approaches its 100-day milestone, Chief Minister Vijay reaffirmed that agricultural welfare and the protection of rural livelihoods remain among the foremost priorities of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) administration.

Addressing the Assembly, Vijay said, “If the people of Tamil Nadu are our life, then farmers are our lifeline. Protecting the livelihoods of farmers, reducing their debt burden and strengthening agriculture are among the foremost responsibilities of this government.”

Under the enhanced scheme, farmers with cooperative bank crop loans of up to ₹75,000 will receive a full waiver. For loans ranging between ₹75,000 and ₹1 lakh, the waiver will be capped at ₹75,000. Farmers in this category will receive an additional benefit of up to ₹40,000, covering an estimated 2,38,264 beneficiaries.

For crop loans exceeding ₹1 lakh, the government will provide a flat waiver of ₹35,000.

The revised slabs will add ₹953.06 crore to the existing relief package, taking the total crop-loan waiver outlay to ₹6,220 crore. As of July 31, ₹5,267 crore had already been credited directly to the accounts of 13.34 lakh farmers, the Chief Minister said.

“Based on the principle that the welfare of Tamil Nadu’s farmers is the welfare of this government, we are providing a total crop-loan waiver of ₹6,220 crore to 13.34 lakh farmers,” Vijay said.

Tracing the evolution of the scheme, the Chief Minister noted that the government had initially announced a waiver for cooperative bank crop loans of up to ₹50,000 within 15 days of assuming office on May 25. The scheme was subsequently expanded on June 19 following consultations with farmers’ associations and other stakeholders.

Vijay also highlighted what he described as a key difference in the implementation of the present scheme. While previous governments had reportedly cleared cooperative bank dues in instalments over four to five years, the current administration aims to provide quicker reimbursement to cooperative institutions.

Referring to the prevailing financial situation of the state, the Chief Minister said the government had carefully assessed its available resources before deciding to extend additional relief.

“Taking into account the financial resources available to the Tamil Nadu government and the prevailing financial situation, this government has decided to provide an additional crop-loan waiver for the welfare of farmers,” he said.

Despite budgetary constraints, the government remains committed to absorbing the financial burden and ensuring timely relief for Tamil Nadu’s farming community, Vijay added, stressing that reducing farmers’ debt and strengthening the agricultural sector would continue to be central to his administration’s agenda.