Guwahati, December 18: The BJP-led government in Assam has announced a loan-waiver of Rs 600 crore, which will benefit nearly 8 lakh farmers in the state. As per the loan-waiver programme approved by the Cabinet, 25 percent of farm loans or nearly Rs 25,000 -- whichever is minimum -- would be waived off.

The waiver will be applicable for farmers who had taken loan using their Kisan Credit Cards (KCC), or through public sector unit (PSU) banks. Rahul Gandhi Ups The Ante Against Narendra Modi Over Farm Loan Waiver, Says 'Congress Fulfilled Promise Within Six Hours'.

Assam government spokesperson and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said the scheme is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 600 crore.

Apart from the loan-waiver programme, Potwary added, the Cabinet has approved a scheme to grant interest-free loans to 19 lakh farmers of the state from next fiscal. The government will also grant a subsidy of upto Rs 10,000 to incentivise farmers taking loan through KCC.

Earlier in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, charging his government at the Centre of being the "most anti-farmer" till date. He demanded the central government to implement a one-time farm loan-waiver before their term ends in April next year.

Notably, in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh -- where Congress was elected to power in the recently held assembly elections -- a loan-waiver programme has been announced by the new appointed Chief Ministers. In both the heartland states, agrarian loans would be waived off upto Rs 2 lakh.

In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has promised to implement a loan-waiver programme within the next couple of days.

Earlier this year, agrarian loans to the tune of Rs 1 lakh were waived off in Congress-JD(S)-ruled Karnataka.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2018 05:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).