Agri Debt Waiver: OTS & Instalment Flex for Co-op Banks
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/512 · issued 26 Jun 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI allows 'other farmers' to pay 75% in one lump sum by June 30, 2009 for 25% govt relief. Banks may accept less than 75% under OTS, bearing the shortfall themselves. No interest on eligible amount till June 30, 2009.
What changed
The Government extended the repayment deadline for 'other farmers' under the Debt Relief Scheme: they can now pay their 75% share as a single instalment by June 30, 2009 and still qualify for 25% relief. Banks are permitted to accept less than 75% under one-time settlement, provided they absorb the difference and do not claim it from the government or farmer.
What it means for you
Co-operative banks can now offer more flexible repayment options to 'other farmers' under the 2008 debt waiver scheme, potentially improving recovery rates. However, if banks accept less than 75% under OTS, they must bear the loss themselves, impacting their provisioning and profitability. No interest accrues on the eligible amount until the new deadline.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Update internal systems to accept single instalment of 75% from 'other farmers' by June 30, 2009 for 25% govt relief.
Ensure no interest is charged on eligible amount till June 30, 2009.
If offering OTS for less than 75%, book the shortfall as bank's own expense and do not claim from government or farmer.
Communicate revised terms to all branches and eligible farmers promptly.
Who it affects
State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), 'Other farmers' under the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008
RBI’s words: “Please refer to our circulars ... RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.116/07.37.02/2008-09 dated June 26, 2009”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1910: RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.116/07.37.02/2008-09 — "Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 - Prudential Norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification ”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/512
RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No. 116 /07.37.02/2008-09
June 26, 2009
All State and Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 - Prudential Norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning
Please refer to our circulars RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.17/07.38.03/2008-09 dated July 30, 2008, RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.69/07.37.02/2008-09 dated November 17, 2008 and RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.91/07.37.02/2008-09 dated March 6, 2009 on the captioned subject.
2. In terms of the circular dated March 6, 2009, we had advised that the Government of India had decided to extend the last date of repayment of first instalment by the "other farmers" under the Debt Relief Scheme from September 30, 2008 to March 31, 2009. The dates of payment of second and third instalments remained unchanged at March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009.
3. The Government of India has now decided to make the accounts of "other farmers" eligible for a debt relief of 25% from Government of India, even if they pay their entire share of 75% as one single instalment, provided the same is deposited by such farmers till June 30, 2009. The banks will not charge any interest on the eligible amount till June 30, 2009. A copy of the Government of India's letter F.No.3/9/2008-AC dated June 12, 2009 is enclosed.
4. The Government of India has also advised that the banks / lending institutions are allowed to receive even less than 75% of the eligible amount under OTS provided the banks / lending institutions bear the difference themselves and do not claim the same either from the Government or from the farmer. The Government will pay only 25% of the actual eligible amount under debt relief.
5. All other terms of the aforesaid circulars remain unchanged.
Yours faithfully,
(R.C.Sarangi)
Chief General Manager
Encls: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/512 · issued 26 Jun 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5055&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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