Considering deficient monsoon rains and its impact on rural areas in India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has come up with a breather to the farmers by easing repayment norms for Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). The apex bank has omitted the clause pertaining to mandatory repayment of loans by card holders within a year and has permitted banks to fix the repayment period based on the anticipated harvesting and marketing period for the crops for which loan has been granted.
The decision is expected to benefit over 10 crore KCC holders. RBI notified that KCC could now also be used for making mandatory crop insurance, while continuing with the existing options of withdrawing money from ATMs and getting benefits of asset insurance, personal accident insurance scheme and health insurance. The Finance Ministry confirmed that aids for farmers in replanting alternate crops as well as supply of drinking water and fodder will be assured to tide over the difficult situation.
Monsoon is the life-line of the agriculture sector as only 40 percent of the cultivable area is irrigated. Rain has been 20 percent lower during June-July 2012; affecting kharif crops mainly coarse cereals and pulses. Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are facing drought-like situation. Last week, Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on drought had approved diesel subsidy of 50 percent to farmers for saving standing crops and Rs 2,000 crore package for states affected by drought-like situation.
The government had launched KCC Scheme in 1998-99 with a view to provide adequate and timely support from the banking system to the farmers for their cultivation needs including purchase of inputs in a flexible and cost effective manner.
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