Chandigarh, 02 June (H.S.): Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann

on Tuesday announced a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s Kisan Credit Card

(KCC) framework, replacing a 26-year-old system with a modern, digital and

farmer-centric credit structure. The reforms are expected to benefit more than

13 lakh farmers across the state and reduce their dependence on private moneylenders.

Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister described the initiative

as a historic step towards the economic empowerment of farmers. He said the

revised policy significantly increases crop-wise credit limits, aligns

institutional loans with actual cultivation costs, lowers the interest burden

and introduces digital banking facilities such as ATM and UPI-based access to

agricultural credit.

Under the revised framework, the Scale of Finance for wheat has been

increased from ₹24,380 per acre to ₹30,000 per acre, while the limit for paddy

has been raised from ₹25,440 per acre to ₹39,000 per acre. Notably, Punjab has

become the first state in the country to include Crop Residue Management under

the KCC system, earmarking ₹2,000 per acre within the paddy credit limit

specifically for stubble management.

The policy also brings several new crops and allied sectors under

institutional credit. High-value crops such as dragon fruit, lemongrass, chia

seeds, quinoa, bamboo and poplar have been included for the first time.

Horticulture and vegetable growers will receive substantially higher credit

support, with garlic farmers eligible for loans of up to ₹1.57 lakh per acre.

Enhanced financial assistance has also been extended to fisheries and shrimp

farming.

To make credit more accessible, farmers will now receive six-year KCC

sanctions, while direct transfers to bank accounts will ensure transparency and

eliminate middlemen. The government has also expanded loan eligibility for

agricultural inputs, livestock feed, land levelling, custom hiring and even

drone services.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests,

CM Mann stated that no public or private bank would be allowed to confiscate

farmers’ land. He said the reforms would encourage crop diversification,

strengthen cooperative banking institutions and help create a more sustainable

and profitable agricultural ecosystem in Punjab.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH