Rohtak (Haryana), Apr 3 Farmers in Rohtak District of Haryana have expressed happiness after their farm loans worth rupees 2108.46 crores were waived off recently.

"My loan worth rupees 50,000 was waived. The government has taken a good decision. Otherwise, the farmers cannot cover all their expenditures, as the earnings are not enough. We also have to spend on our children's education," said Surendra Singh, a farmer.

The farm loan waiver scheme aims at enabling the beneficiary farmers to apply for fresh loans. In Haryana, almost 6.64 lakh farmers have benefited from the scheme.

Another farmer Ramdiya added, "It is a very good thing, otherwise farmers with no means would have been compelled to commit suicide. But because the loans were waived, they can fend for their other needs. It is quite relieving for the farmers."

The Congress-led Central Government had in May 2008 raised the total amount of farm loan waiver to Rs.716.8 billion from the Rs.600 billion, which was set aside by P. Chidambaram in the budget announced in February 2008.

In the past, farmers have been forced to commit suicide due to various reasons such as low produce, drought, distress selling and inability to repay their loans.

The loan waiver scheme has been welcomed by farmers not just in Haryana, but in the whole country.

The farmers are happy that they will not be under pressure about repayment of loans to the banks or to the moneylenders.

Agriculture in India continues to be highly labour intensive and supports nearly 60 per cent of the one billion-plus population. By Dherender Kumar (ANI)