Gurdaspur: The Punjab government will disburse around Rs 200 crore to 26,998 farmers of six districts of the state in the third phase of the farm debt waiver scheme today.
The six districts to be covered under this phase are Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr), Amritsar and Tarn Taran. The disbursal process will be launched at a state-level function in Gurdaspur. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh would personally hand over the waiver cheques to the farmers who have been shortlisted by Financial Commissioner (Development) after verification.
In the first phase, 46,556 marginal farmers of five districts — Mansa, Bathinda, Faridkot, Muktsar and Moga — were given Rs 167.39 crore.
In the second phase, a total of 29,192 farmers of five districts — Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Fazilka and Ferozepur — were provided Rs 162.16 crore relief last month.
The government has on it to make Gurdaspur loan waiver function a mega event as it is the parliamentary constituency of Congress state president Sunil Jakhar. Farmers have gathered in large numbers at the function already. Chief Minister Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh and senior Congress leaders will reach venue soon.