THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The political commotion over farmers' payment is hitting new headlines in the state. Meanwhile, Minister G R Anil said it was the unfavorable and irresponsible response from SBI bank that impeded the payment to many farmers in the state. Canara bank earlier disbursed Rs 38.32 crore to more than 4000 farmers in the state while SBI lagged behind with just Rs 42 lakhs payment completed to less than 100 farmers.

“Actor Jayasurya’s remark is baseless. Supplyco procured 5568 kg paddy grown on 1.87 acres of his friend Krishnaprasad from Kottayam. For this, 1.57 lakh rupees was given as a loan by PRS through SBI in July itself.” the minister said.

“Rs 637.7 crore arrears for minimum support price was pending from the central government which also hampered the payment to farmers. Several letters were sent for the central dues and bureaucratic to ministerial-level interventions were made, but nothing productive happened” the Minister opined.

G R Anil later criticized the UDF MPs for not raising the issue in parliament or at least supporting the state to ensure payment to farmers.

“Rs 2070.71 crore rupees was to be paid as the price of 7.31 lakh metric tonnes of paddy collected in 2022-23. Out of which Rs.1820.71 crore was disbursed. From the Rs 180 crore sanctioned by the government, small-scale farmers expecting Rs 50,000 and more in arrear money were cleared off the payment by the government.” the minister said.