Poor internet connectivity and server problems at government e-service centres have made it difficult for farmers to register for the loan waiver scheme.
The government had earlier claimed that over 38.90 lakh farmers had filled farm loan waiver forms. Around 89 lakh farmers are eligible for the loan waiver scheme and September 15 is the deadline to submit the forms.
Ajit Nawale, convener of the farmers’ steering committee, said, “Farmers are being forced to stand in queue for hours to just fill the form. In many e-service centres, the online registration facility is in tatters. Thumb impressions are not matching with the Aadhaar card data. Server malfunction has also made the process time-consuming.”
Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh said the errors at e-centers would be tackled and farmers would start receiving money in their accounts from October 1. Kalidas Aapet of Shetkari Sanghatana said, “The government has all the details of farmers who require the loan. This whole exercise of filling forms is unnecessary. It is possible to transfer the amount directly. Only 500 of the 1,400 e-service centres in Beed district are functional.” Mr. Aapet also questioned the need for a ‘caste’ column in the forms.
Farmers’ leaders said the procedure could only be completed if the farmer’s wife provided her thumb impression. Mr. Nawale said, “Widows whose husbands have committed suicide are helpless since they have no loan in their name. There is no clarity on this issue.”
Uttam Yamgar, a farmer from Mhasurne village in Khatav tehsil, said he has been visiting the e-service centre for eight days but the server has failed recognise his thumb impression.