The Hindu : Karnataka News : Gowda promises to waive interest on farm loans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Gowda promises to waive interest on farm loans

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, APRIL 13. The response to the former Prime Minister and President of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda's visit to some villages in the remote areas of the Hassan Lok Sabha Constituency on Monday was good.

Villagers welcomed him and apprised him of their problems. Mr. Gowda arrived in Belur from Chikmagalur district and visited some villages. During his campaign, Mr. Gowda spoke on many issues, including the reasons for suicide by farmers, the online lottery menace, and the "failure" of the State Government in handling the rural weightage issue.

Though his visit was not publicised, a large number of people gathered at the Nehru Maidan at short notice.

Mr. Gowda appealed to them to vote for the Janata Dal (S) to realise its dream of safeguarding the interests of farmers.

The scene was no different at Bikkodu village in Sakleshpur taluk. The villagers waited for long for his arrival. Mr. Gowda along with some leaders of the party visited Ballupet in Sakleshpur taluk where the party candidate, H.M. Viswanath, is contesting.

Addressing the gathering Mr. Gowda criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its "communal agenda" and blamed the Congress for the Ayodhya issue.

Addressing a well-attended meeting at Arkalgud where the party candidate, A.T. Ramaswamy, is contesting, Mr. Gowda promised the people that if elected to power, his Government would waive interest on farm loans and reintroduce the green card scheme, which would enable 68 lakh families in the State to get rice for Rs. 3.50 a kg.

He declared that his Government would ban online lottery. Mr. Gowda announced that his Government would provide uninterrupted power supply to irrigation pumpsets.

He claimed that he was the only elected representative from the State who had fought for the cause of farmers in Parliament.

Mr. Gowda visited Kenkere village in the Gandsi Assembly Constituency shortly after a clash between the Janata Dal (S) and Congress workers. Though Kenkere is considered a bastion of the Congress, the response to his visit was good.

He advised the party workers not to get provoked and appealed to the people to "bless" the Janata Dal (S) in the coming elections.

He also visited Nidudi, Chitnalli, Doddapura, and Yadiyur villages before returning to Hassan. There was a grand reception for Mr. Gowda at Bhuvanahalli.

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