The Vivid Karyaki Cooperative Union Ltd (VIKA) office in Miyagam is witnessing an unprecedented rush these days, as farmers mill around the notice board eagerly to check if their names figure on the lone-waiver list.

One farmer who got ‘lucky’ is Punja Padhiyar, 47. Relieved of Rs 2,64,366 debt, he says the waiver was a new lease of life. “We couldn’t have even dreamt of being relieved of the debt if this waiver had not come from the Prime Minister. He saved us.” Punja, who lives with his three unmarried sons and his wife in Jariwalu Faliyu said, “I have decided not to fall into debt again. We will buy a few more cattle and earn a better living.”

But for those who took loans before March 31, 1997, the picture remains bleak. Chandu Padhiyar, 62, did not qualify for any waiver for this very reason. He is now filled with despair having lost 1.75 of his 8 acres after the Narmada canal passed through his field. “Now my farm remains submerged for six months, and with only one crop a year, life has become impossible,” he says. “We borrowed Rs 37,500 over the entire piece of land but the Central Government has a stifling waiver rider. My total debt is Rs 81,617 and I have given up hope of repaying it. Now we are sowing crops by borrowing from people but it’s an endless circle that is killing us slowly.”