At a time when the FCV Tobacco farmers have been facing problems aplenty due to low prices, the Tobacco Board has provided relief by doubling the amount given as loans to farmers under Tobacco Grower Welfare Fund, said Board secretary C.S.S. Patnaik.
The interest-free loan for marriage of daughters was doubled from Rs.25,000, education loan from Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000, interest-free loans for repairing the damaged barns (complete) and fire accidents were also doubled to Rs. 50,000.
The Tobacco Board created Tobacco Board’s Growers Welfare Fund Scheme in 2009-10 to provide loans to registered tobacco growers.
So far, financial relief in terms of grants (natural death/accidental) was sanctioned to 6, 868 beneficiaries for an amount of Rs.17.86 crore since inception of the scheme.
Interest-free loans to the tune of Rs.4.82 crore were provided to 3,112 farmers.
