The Andhra Pradesh Government on Wednesday promulgated an ordinance that seeks to protect the interest of tenant farmers.

The Governor, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, gave his assent to the ordinance that extends the benefits of owners of land to even tenant farmers, with regards to crop loans, insurance, input subsidy among other benefits.

The Andhra Pradesh Land Licensed Cultivators Ordinance 2011 has been promulgated as the Bill that sought to be passed bringing certain changes to the existing provisions during the Budget session could not be passed as the session was constantly disturbed due to protests. With the south-west monsoon setting in the State and farmers readying themselves for the kharif crop season, the ordinance was sent to the Governor for his assent after earlier securing the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy's nod. The ordinance was drafted after wide range of consultations with various stakeholders – farmers, bankers, insurance firms among others.

According to Government sources, the ordinance will come into fore with immediate effect and all the tenant farmers in the State would be able to claim various benefits that the State extends to the farm community. Hitherto only land owners were eligible for various benefits, including crop loans and insurance as the land also served as collateral to loans extended in some cases.

In addition to various other benefits, the tenant farmers would have access to the State Government's pet scheme ‘Pavala Vaddi,' which provides loans at low interest rates. The Government also plans to issue special identity cards to the farmers and this would enable them to seek fresh loans and also secure other benefits from the State.

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