Following is the text of guidelines on Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 announced by the Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram at a press briefing of the decision of the Cabinet here today: 

1.Introduction

1.1. The Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech for 2008-2009, announced a Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme for farmers.

1.2. Guidelines for implementation of the Scheme are given below.

2. Scope 

2.1 The Scheme will cover direct agricultural loans extended to 'marginal and small farmers' and 'other farmers' by Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Credit Institutions (including Urban Cooperative Banks) and Local Area Banks (hereinafter referred to compendiously as "lending institutions") as indicated in the Guidelines. 

2.2 The Scheme shall come into force with immediate effect.

3.Definitions

3.1.'Direct Agricultural Loans' means Short Term Production Loans and Investment Loans provided directly to farmers for agricultural purposes. This would also include such loans provided directly to groups of individual farmers (for example Self Help Groups and Joint Liability Groups), provided banks maintain disaggregated data of the loan extended to each farmer belonging to that group. 

3.2. 'Short Term Production Loan' means a loan given in connection with the raising of crops which is to be repaid within 18 months. It will include working capital loan, not exceeding Rs. 1 lakh, for traditional and non-traditional plantations and horticulture.

3.3. 'Investment Loan' means

(a) investment credit for direct agricultural activities extended for meeting outlays relating to the replacement and maintenance of wasting assets and for capital investment designed to increase the output from the land, e.g. deepening of wells, sinking of new wells, installation of pump sets, purchase of tractor / pair of bullocks, land development and term loan for traditional and non-traditional plantations and horticulture; and

(b) investment credit for allied activities extended for acquiring assets in respect of activities allied to agriculture e.g. dairy, poultry farming, goatery, sheep rearing, piggery, fisheries, bee-keeping, green houses and biogas.

3.4. 'Cooperative Credit Institution' means a cooperative society that

(i) provides short-term crop loans to farmers and is eligible for interest subvention from the Central Government; or

(ii) carries on banking activities regulated or supervised by RBI or NABARD; or

(iii) is part of the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure or Long-Term Cooperative Credit Structure in a State or Union Territory.          

3.5. 'Marginal Farmer' means a farmer cultivating (as owner or tenant or share cropper) agricultural land up to 1 hectare (2.5 acres).

Debt waiver for agricultural loans extends relief to small and marginal farmers and defines eligible loan types and lenders. The Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme covers direct agricultural loans to marginal, small and other farmers by scheduled banks, regional rural banks, cooperative credit institutions and local area banks and comes into force immediately. Direct Agricultural Loans include Short Term Production Loans-repayable within eighteen months and including working capital for plantations and horticulture-and Investment Loans for capital investment and allied agricultural activities. Group loans qualify only where banks maintain disaggregated data. Definitions of cooperative credit institution and marginal farmer (up to one hectare) delimit eligibility.