26 lakh tenant farmers to be issued licences

HYDERABAD: Enabling tenant farmers to obtain crop loans and input subsidies, the state government on Wednesday issued orders promulgating the Andhra Pradesh Land Licensed Cultivators Ordinance, 2011. The ordinance will benefit about 26 lakh tenant farmers who also will be termed as licensed cultivators enabling them to get access to crop loans, input subsidies and other benefits from the banks and the state government.Though the government planned to bring out an Act during the budget session of the state Assembly, the plans did not fructify and chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the authorities concerned to bring out an ordinance in this regard. He urged the bankers to support the initiative in a big way. As per the instructions of the chief minister, the law department issued orders promulgating the ordinance. Under the new ordinance, the tenant farmers will be issued licenses enabling them to have access to various benefits provided by the banks and also the state government. The new ordinance will also protect the rights of the land owners.