Tamil Nadu Farmers Protest Partial Crop Loan Waiver by State Government
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, announced a cooperative crop loan waiver of up to ₹50,000 for small and marginal farmers, costing ₹2,044.46 crore and covering 14,22,555 farmers. However, farmers’ organizations across the state, including in Erode, Virudhunagar, and the delta region, strongly criticized the scheme as discriminatory and insufficient, accusing the government of breaking its election promise of full waivers. Protests erupted on June 1, 2026, with over 500 farmers demanding a comprehensive waiver.
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Farmers in Krishnagiri Stage Token Hunger Fast for Full Crop Loan Waiver
On June 22, 2026, the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Paadhukaapu Sangam led a token hunger fast in Gurubarapalli, Krishnagiri, demanding a universal crop loan waiver from the Tamil Nadu state government. The protest criticized the government's recent announcement of a farm loan waiver limited to cooperative loans up to ₹75,000 and only for borrowings within 2025-26. Farmers argued that this partial waiver fails to address widespread indebtedness exacerbated by crop losses due to climate change. The association accused the government of breaking its manifesto promise to provide a full crop loan waiver for all farmers. The protest aimed to draw attention to the ongoing farm credit crisis and the need for comprehensive debt relief.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Tamil Nadu government revises cooperative crop loan waiver up to ₹75,000; expands to all farmers
On June 16, 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a revised cooperative crop loan waiver scheme, expanding eligibility to all farmers regardless of landholding size. The scheme waives loans up to ₹75,000 availed from cooperative banks between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Farmers with loans exceeding ₹75,000 will receive a waiver of ₹35,000. The revised policy benefits 14.43 lakh farmers, including 833,773 marginal, 516,183 small, and 93,548 large farmers, at a total cost of ₹5,932.23 crore. This follows an earlier May 25 announcement that waived loans up to ₹50,000 for small and marginal farmers only, which drew mixed reactions and demands for restructuring. The new scheme addresses those concerns by broadening coverage.
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On June 10, 2026, farmers affiliated with various organizations staged a protest in Modakkurichi, Erode, demanding the Tamil Nadu government fulfill its election promise of a comprehensive crop loan waiver. Holding bundles of sugarcane, they raised slogans urging Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to act. Easan Murugasamy, founder of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Protection Association, announced that farmers from 30 districts would launch an indefinite hunger strike from June 22 if the demand is not met. He alleged that the current Government Order for loan waivers provided only limited relief, with many beneficiaries receiving small amounts that failed to address the debt burden. Farmers are struggling due to inadequate crop prices and rising input costs, making loan repayment difficult. The protest aimed to draw government attention to the issue.
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On June 1, 2026, over 150 farmers from Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, staged a protest in front of the Dindigul Collectorate demanding the state government waive cooperative crop loans as promised in the election manifesto. The farmers, mostly small and marginal, submitted petitions to District Collector S. Saravanan. They highlighted that while over 150 agricultural products are grown in Tamil Nadu, the central government has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for only 21, with procurement limited to sugarcane, paddy, and copra. Farmers stated they receive fair prices for only 2% of products, leading to mounting debt and land sales. They demanded a complete one-time waiver of all cooperative crop loans, citing a promise to waive loans fully for farmers owning under five acres and 50% for those with over five acres, to protect their livelihoods.
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On June 1, 2026, farmers affiliated with the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Paadhukaapu Sangam protested outside the Krishnagiri Collectorate in Tamil Nadu, India, against the state government's partial loan waiver. The government announced a waiver of up to ₹50,000 only for loans secured between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Protesters demanded the full waiver of all cooperative society loans, as promised during elections. They highlighted broader agricultural distress, noting that while farmers produce over 150 agricultural items, only 21 have a minimum support price (MSP), and only sugarcane, paddy, and copra see real procurement. The association alleged that ₹15,000 crore allocated for subsidies is often lost to corruption and embezzlement, and argued these funds should instead be used to cover all marginal farmers' loans. The protest underscores ongoing tensions over farm income and government support in the region.
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On June 1, 2026, over 500 farmers affiliated with the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association staged a protest in Erode, Tamil Nadu, accusing the state government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of failing to fulfill its election promise of a comprehensive crop loan waiver. Association founder Easan Murugasamy led the demonstration, stating that the government had only announced a partial waiver—₹5,000 for loans over ₹1 lakh and a 50% waiver for eligible small farmers—instead of the promised full waiver for farmers owning less than five acres and a 50% waiver for those with more than five acres. Protesters raised slogans against the government, alleging neglect of farmers' welfare despite campaign assurances. They urged immediate implementation of the full waiver to relieve small and marginal farmers from mounting debt due to rising costs, fluctuating prices, and adverse weather. Participants from across the district warned of intensified protests if demands are not met.
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Farmers' bodies in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, have expressed disappointment and anger over the state government's crop loan waiver scheme, calling it meagre and insulting. The TVK government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, announced a waiver of ₹2,044 crore, offering only ₹5,000 relief to farmers with loans over ₹1 lakh. This falls far short of the party's election promise of a 100% waiver for farmers with up to 5 acres and 50% for larger holdings. Leaders R. Rampandian and N.A. Ramachandra Raja criticized the cut-off date of February 28, 2026, and noted that input costs have risen sharply since a similar 2021 waiver under the AIADMK. They demand the government honor its original promise using state resources.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Tamil Nadu Farmers Criticize Government Loan Waiver as Discriminatory
Farmers' organisations in Tamil Nadu's delta region have strongly criticized the state government's newly announced cooperative loan waiver scheme, calling it discriminatory and insufficient. The waiver, announced by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, offers up to ₹50,000 for marginal farmers and 50% for small farmers, with a flat ₹5,000 waiver for larger loans. Farmer leaders argue this falls short of the TVK's election manifesto promise of full waivers for small farmers and 50% for big farmers. They accuse Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of breaking his word and warn the scheme will hurt the government in upcoming local body elections. Farmers demand the scheme be withdrawn and replaced with a full, proper waiver covering all loans, including those for allied activities, and suggest the government could have delayed implementation until finances improved rather than offering a partial rebate.
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The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, announced a waiver on cooperative crop loans for small and marginal farmers. Loans up to ₹50,000 obtained by marginal farmers will be fully waived, while small farmers will receive a 50% waiver within that limit. For loans between ₹50,000 and ₹60,000, marginal farmers get a ₹40,000 waiver and small farmers ₹20,000. As loan amounts increase, the waiver amount decreases; those borrowing over ₹1 lakh receive a flat ₹5,000 waiver. Large-scale farmers also get a uniform ₹5,000 waiver. The scheme, covering loans taken between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, will benefit 14,22,555 farmers at an additional cost of ₹2,044.46 crore to the government.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Tamil Nadu Government Announces Cooperative Crop Loan Waiver Up to ₹50,000
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, announced a waiver on cooperative crop loans for small and marginal farmers. Loans up to ₹50,000 obtained by marginal farmers will be fully waived, while small farmers will receive a 50% waiver within that limit. For loans between ₹50,000 and ₹60,000, marginal farmers get a ₹40,000 waiver and small farmers ₹20,000. As loan amounts increase, the waiver amount decreases; farmers who borrowed more than ₹1 lakh receive a flat waiver of ₹5,000. Large-scale farmers also get a uniform ₹5,000 waiver. The scheme covers 14,22,555 farmers who took loans between May 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026, costing the government an additional ₹2,044.46 crore.
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