Tamil Nadu farmers demand minimum Rs 1 lakh crop loan waiver

A federation representing more than 50 farmers’ associations in Tamil Nadu is demanding a complete waiver of cooperative crop loans. During a meeting in Tiruchirappalli, Eesan Murugasamy, founder of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association, urged the government to waive a minimum of Rs 1 lakh in loans for all farmers without discrimination or specific conditions.

The federation is calling for the removal of eligibility restrictions that currently limit benefits to those who took loans within a specific 11-month period. Additionally, they are requesting that waivers be granted based on landholdings rather than being limited to a single member per family.

Murugasamy warned of continuous protests if the demands are not met, specifically citing opposition to the seizure of farmer properties during loan recovery processes. Meanwhile, political criticism has emerged following reports that 252 farmers were arrested near Samayapuram during protest attempts.