Banks are not "encouraging" farmers in West Bengal to use their Kisan Credit Cards to get cheaper loans as only 15-20 lakh peasants are "active users" of the total registered beneficiaries of 50-60 lakh, an official said today.
"Around 55 to 60 lakh cards have been issued, but only 15 to 20 lakh farmers in the state are using them and many have not renewed them," Principal Secretary of state agriculture department Sanjeev Chopra told reporters at the Nabanna today.
Most farmers are adopting "traditional ways" and the banks were also not "encouraging" them to continue using the cards, he said.
KCC was started in 1998-99 by the Centre, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide farmers with affordable credits in time.
According to an official, the agriculture department has asked the banks for a report in this connection.
Talking about the state's preparedness on in dealing with delayed monsoon, Chopra said, "We are ready to face any situation if there is a natural calamity. If there is 20 to 25 per cent less or excess rainfall this season, we are ready to provide replacement to farmers."
If such a situation arises, the state government would provide seeds to the farmers on a "no-profit-no-loss" distribution process, he added.
