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Pawar assures all aid to Karnataka, Maharashtra

Special Correspondent

Do not reschedule loans: Deve Gowda

NEW DELHI: Describing the flood damage in Karnataka and Maharashtra as "abnormal," Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar assured the Lok Sabha that the Centre would extend all assistance to them.

Pointing out that he saw the damage caused to farms and public property in Karnataka, he said the State Government alone could not meet the situation.

Earlier H.D. Deve Gowda (Janata Dal-Secular) drew the attention of the Centre to the plight of farmers in the wake of the floods and unprecedented rain in the region.

Report awaited

Mr. Pawar said the Karnataka and Maharashtra Chief Ministers were coming here next week to make a presentation to the Prime Minister. Also a Central team, which had visited Karnataka, was expected to submit its report. A final view would be taken on the basis of these reports. Mr. Gowda demanded that the Centre consider giving relief on the lines of the norms evolved for the tsunami-hit and waive loan repayment this year. It should not reschedule loans as announced. Instead of Rs. 10,000, the Centre should give Rs. 40,000 for reconstruction of houses.

Mr. Pawar said the Centre had no hesitation in accepting Mr. Gowda's suggestion for monitoring the provision for construction of houses.

Loan repayment

On waiver of interest and loans, Mr. Pawar said this issue would have to be discussed with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Reserve Bank of India as various banks provided the money. "Unless and until some arrangement has been made from our side, we would not be able to resolve that problem. But I would like to assure you that we will definitely look into the matter."

Tejaswini Ramesh (Congress), S. Bangarappa (Samajwadi Party), S. Mallikarjun and H.N. Ananth Kumar (BJP) also spoke on the issue.

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