Centre Mandates Link of Farm ID with Fertiliser Usage Data, Telecom Tower Clearances for State Loan Disbursements

Government Introduces Telecom Tower Clearance Reforms and Farmer Database Improvements as Conditions for Capex Loan Scheme

The Centre has introduced new reform-linked conditions under its capex loan scheme for states for the fiscal year 2026-27, aimed at improving telecom tower clearance processes and farmer database management. These reforms are part of the Rs 2 lakh crore budgeted outlay for the upcoming financial year, with guidelines for Rs 1.75 lakh crore already communicated to states.

Of the allocated amount, Rs 1.05 lakh crore has been tied to reforms, while Rs 70,000 crore remains untied, according to a top government official. The official emphasized continuity in the Centre's approach, with only two new reform conditions introduced this year, and the rest, including mining, carried forward from the previous financial year.

The new conditions focus on streamlining telecom tower expansion rules and improving how farmers are identified in official systems, including tenant farmers who are often excluded from land records. The exercise is part of the government's broader Digital Agriculture Mission, which aims to build a verified database of farmers and farming activity to improve delivery of benefits.

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The Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme continues to link a significant portion of funds to reform implementation by states. The scheme provides interest-free loans to boost capital expenditure, with a portion of the funds linked to implementation of specific reforms.

In addition to the tied component, the government has set aside an additional Rs 25,000 crore, which will be allocated later based on states' requirements and utilisation levels. The SASCI scheme aims to incentivise states to adopt reforms and ensure effective implementation of government support systems.

The Centre's focus on telecom tower clearance reforms and farmer database improvements is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government support systems, particularly for tenant farmers. The move is also expected to reduce delays arising from multiple permissions and bring greater uniformity in how telecom projects are cleared across states.

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