Saini Launches One-Time Settlement Scheme for Overdue PACS Loans
Rs 2,266 Crore Interest Waiver to Benefit 6.81 Lakh Farmers and Poor Laborers
Full Interest Waiver on Principal Deposit; New Loan Available for Next Crop
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Providing major relief to farmers associated with the state’s Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today announced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for clearing outstanding overdue loans. The scheme will remain in effect until March 31, 2026.
The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present on the occasion. He stated that, as Finance Minister, he had proposed a scheme for the settlement of overdue loans owed by farmers to PACS during the 2025-26 Budget Session, and today the government has formally launched this initiative.
Under the scheme, if farmers who have taken loans from PACS deposit the principal amount of their loans into the societies’ accounts, their entire outstanding interest will be waived. This interest waiver amounts to Rs 2,266 crore, benefiting 6,81,182 farmers and poor laborers across the state.The Chief Minister further informed that the scheme is applicable to all indebted farmers who have taken crop loans or shop loans that became overdue as of September 30, 2024.
Additionally, families of 2.25 lakh deceased farmers will also benefit. If the legal heirs deposit the principal amount, they will receive an interest waiver totaling approximately Rs 900 crore.He added that after depositing the principal amount under the scheme, farmers will also be eligible to obtain new loans in three installments for their next crop, based on their requirements, starting one month after settlement.