EPS Accuses Tamil Nadu Government Of Betraying Farmers Over Crop Loan Waiver

Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday launched a strong attack on the Tamil Nadu government over its recently announced crop loan waiver scheme, calling it a “scientific fraud” and accusing the ruling administration of betraying farmers. The AIADMK General Secretary alleged that the government had deviated from the promises made during the Assembly elections and was attempting to mislead the farming community through altered eligibility conditions. He also claimed that the state government was trying to divert public attention from what he described as worsening law and order conditions across Tamil Nadu. The remarks intensified the ongoing political confrontation between the opposition AIADMK and the ruling establishment over farmer welfare policies.

Addressing the media, Palaniswami accused the ruling party of focusing more on political calculations and defections rather than governance and implementation of public welfare measures. According to him, the government had failed to fulfil key commitments made to the people, particularly to the agricultural sector. He criticised the revised framework of the crop loan waiver scheme, arguing that the administration had changed the original criteria promised to farmers during the election campaign. The AIADMK leader alleged that the waiver was initially assured for farmers owning less than five acres of land through cooperative bank loans, but the government had now shifted to a loan amount-based eligibility system instead. He said this change had created confusion and disappointment among small and marginal farmers.

Drawing comparisons with the previous AIADMK administration, Palaniswami highlighted the large-scale crop loan waiver implemented during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2021. He stated that the earlier government had waived crop loans worth nearly ₹12,110 crore obtained through cooperative banks, benefiting around 16.43 lakh farmers across Tamil Nadu. According to him, that decision was taken after assessing the severe financial distress faced by the farming community and was aimed at providing genuine economic relief. He argued that the scale and intent of the earlier scheme reflected the AIADMK’s commitment to agriculture and rural welfare. The former Chief Minister maintained that the present government’s initiative was significantly smaller and lacked the same level of support for farmers.

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Questioning the effectiveness of the current waiver scheme, Palaniswami pointed out that the present government had announced relief amounting to only ₹2,044 crore in 2026, a figure he said was substantially lower than the previous AIADMK initiative. He argued that the reduced scale of assistance would not adequately address the debt burden faced by farmers struggling with rising cultivation costs, unpredictable weather conditions, and fluctuating market prices. He further stated that several farmers had expected a comprehensive waiver based on election assurances and now felt neglected by the administration. The opposition leader claimed that such policy changes could weaken trust between the government and the agricultural community, particularly in rural districts dependent on cooperative lending systems.

During his remarks, Palaniswami also made an emotional appeal in support of farmers, describing them as the backbone of society and essential providers of food security. Referring to his own farming background, he said he understood the hardships faced by cultivators and warned that governments which fail to support farmers eventually lose public confidence. “As a farmer who has personally tilled the land, I can say that no government which deceives farmers has survived in history,” he said while criticising the current administration. He urged the government to reconsider its approach and ensure that welfare measures genuinely benefit small and marginal farmers instead of becoming political announcements without substantial impact.

The controversy surrounding the crop loan waiver scheme has once again placed agricultural welfare at the centre of Tamil Nadu’s political discourse. Farmer loan waivers have historically remained a sensitive and politically significant issue in the state, particularly during periods of financial stress in the agricultural sector. Opposition parties continue to demand broader relief measures and clearer implementation policies, while the government maintains that its initiatives are designed to provide targeted assistance to eligible beneficiaries. Political analysts believe the issue could become a major talking point ahead of future electoral contests, especially in rural constituencies where farming remains a primary source of livelihood.

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