Govt to Pay Agricultural Loans up to Tk 10,000 with Six Conditions
The government will repay both the principal and interest of agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000. However, six conditions have been set to implement this facility. The government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party said the decision has been taken as part of fulfilling its election pledges.
In this regard, separate government orders were issued on 12 March by the Budget Wing of the Ministry of Finance and on 15 March by the Financial Institutions Division. According to the order signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Mamunur Rashid, Tk 1,567 crore 96 lakh 33 thousand 480 has been allocated from the revised budget of the current fiscal year 2025–26 to repay the principal and interest of agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000, in line with a decision taken at the Cabinet meeting held on 26 February 2026.
According to the government directive, banks must comply with several conditions to implement the facility. First, any uncharged interest after the interest-imposition period must be waived by the respective banks with approval from their boards of directors. Second, the amount of Tk 137 crore 58 lakh 39 thousand 825 and 68 paisa transferred to the Suspense account must be written off by the banks at their own responsibility and treated as settled liabilities, and any related lawsuits must be withdrawn.
Third, Bangladesh Bank will complete audits of the relevant information in phases following due procedures and submit the final audited accounts to the government. Based on these accounts, the government will make payments to the respective banks. Fourth, once the government assumes the liability, banks must immediately withdraw all cases filed against farmers and ensure that farmers do not face any form of harassment. Progress reports on this matter must be submitted monthly to the Financial Institutions Division through Bangladesh Bank.
Fifth, if any bank is proven to have received more funds than the actual liability, the excess amount must be returned to the government along with interest. Sixth, all government financial rules and regulations must be strictly followed in spending the allocated funds.
Meanwhile, to make services for farmers more accessible and effective, a new Farmer Card distribution program is planned to begin on 14 April, the day of Pohela Boishakh. The program will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and in the first phase approximately 2 crore 20 lakh farmers are expected to receive the card.
DBTech/MAR/EK/OR
