Agricultural loans for 56,748 farmers across ten districts in the Khulna Division are set to be waived, with the total amount of debt to be written off standing at Tk41,79,56,256.
According to data from Krishi Bank, this measure applies to farmers who held agricultural loans of up to Tk10,000 until the election period.
Sources from Khulna division and district Krishi Bank stated that the initiative is being implemented in accordance with BNP election manifesto.
In the Khulna Zonal Office, which encompasses Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, and Narail districts, a total of 30,248 farmers have been brought under the waiver scheme, involving Tk21.32 crore.
Meanwhile, Utpal Kaviraj, General Manager of the Kushtia Divisional Office, confirmed that 26,500 farmers in Magura, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, Kushtia, and Chuadanga districts are eligible for the waiver, with their total debt amounting to Tk20,47,56,256.
Lists of these farmers have been sent to Dhaka for final approval, after which their documents will be returned to them debt-free.
In Khulna city and the 11 upazilas of the district, Tk4,12,54,425.9 is being waived for 6,767 farmers.
The breakdown of beneficiaries includes 2,711 farmers in Dumuria (Tk1,26,90,855.5), 1,448 in Koyra (Tk1,05,48,110), 673 in Phultala (Tk44,47,633), 621 in Rupsa (Tk41,19,683), 295 in Paikgachha (Tk19,87,486), 249 in Terkhada (Tk23,55,520), 237 in Dacope (Tk18,11,058), 228 in Dighalia (Tk13,62,388), 183 in Batiaghata (Tk12,48,475.5), 87 in Daulatpur (Tk5,36,155), 21 in Khulna city (Tk1,08,866), and 14 in Labonchara (Tk38,196).
Among the individuals receiving relief are Samshur Rahman of Ilaipur village, who took a loan of Tk7,000 in 1990; Momin Uddin, son of Haji Kubbat Ali of Talimpur, who borrowed Tk6,000 in 1989; and Md Soleman Mina, son of the late Yusuf Mina of the same area, who took a loan of Tk6,000 in 1992.
These three farmers, who were clients of the Purba Rupsa Ghat branch of Krishi Bank, expressed immense joy at the news of their debt relief.
Responsible sources from Khulna Divisional Office have noted that farmers have already been informed of the waiver, and court cases previously filed against them for failing to repay these loans are being withdrawn.
However, the waiver does not extend to loans exceeding Tk10,000 taken before the election, nor to any loans taken after the election period. As of 30 June, there are an additional 2.03 lakh farmers within the Khulna zone who remain in debt, with their combined liabilities totaling Tk2,600 crore.
