Apathy of India leaves 11 lakh IIOJK farmers struggling with INR 17,814 crore debt
Srinagar: Nearly 11 lakh farmers in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with an overwhelming INR 17,814 crore in outstanding bank loans, highlighting the deepening agrarian crisis in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, despite repeated pleas for relief, New Delhi has failed to introduce any debt-waiver schemes, further exacerbating the financial distress of the farming community.
According to data presented by the Ministry of Finance in the Lok Sabha, as of March 31, 2024:
9.29 lakh farmers owe INR 16,481 crore to commercial banks. 1.45 lakh farmers have INR 1,265 crore in debts with Regional Rural Banks.
0.05 lakh farmers are indebted to cooperative banks for INR 68 crore.
The figures, sourced from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), underscore the worsening plight of J&K’s farmers, many of whom have been struggling with declining incomes, erratic weather patterns, and shrinking government support.
Despite the dire situation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has confirmed that the government has no plans to waive off these debts, further fueling concerns about the neglect of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s agrarian sector.
Farmers in IIOJK have long argued that while New Delhi selectively announces loan waivers for farmers in other parts of India, those in the disputed terriotry continue to be ignored. The growing debt burden, coupled with rising input costs, limited market access, and lack of financial aid, has left many on the brink of bankruptcy.
The continued indifference of the Indian government to their worsening financial conditions has raised serious questions about its commitment to the well-being IIOJK’s farmers, who form a significant portion of the territory’s economy.