Bengaluru/New Delhi: In order to encourage Rabi crops cultivation, the Central government has decided to release Rs 21,000 crores to district co-operative banks through NABARD.

After noticing a serious setback in farming activities during Rabi season on account of note ban, the Union government has taken this initiative to encourage farming activities to give relief to cash starved farmers. The RBI has instructed not to levy charges on debit card transactions during this period.

Farmers can now procure fertilisers through co-operatives, retailers and distributors using their credit and debit cards. In case farmers experience difficulty in accumulating the desired cash amount, the government has asked co-operatives to lend fertilisers on loan basis.

The E-wallet limit too has been increased to 20000 with immediate effect, Shashikanth Das, secretary, economic affairs disclosed the information to the media.

Karnataka second in Jan Dhan deposits

Jan Dhan accounts running without deposits till the note ban have suddenly found favour from depositors with amounts increasing in those accounts. West Bengal stands first whereas Karnataka is in 2nd position as far as deposits are concerned. Around Rs 21,000 crores were deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts since demonetisation came into effect.

In the mean time, Chief Minister Siddaramiah said, the state can waive farmer loan if the Central government bears 50 per cent burden. He was responding to the legislators in Belagavi during the winter assembly session, who were demanding waiver of farmers’ loans as most taluks in the State are drought-hit.