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One-time settlement of loans for ryots: YSR

Special Correspondent

Action plan drawn up for reviving ailing cooperative sector

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has unveiled an action plan for the revival of the ailing cooperative sector. He has announced a one-time settlement for clearing the dues that could burden the Government to the tune of Rs. 450 crores.

Reiterating the pro-farmer disposition of his Government at a meeting of newly elected heads of the District Cooperative Central Banks, District Cooperative Marketing Societies and municipalities, besides Mayors belonging to the Congress here on Thursday, Dr. Reddy said that if the one-time settlement was not favoured, the banks could consider reducing the penalty.

The Chief Minister said benefits of the cooperative movement could be sustained only if farmers developed the habit of repaying the loans. "Good monsoon should enable them to pay back."

He said farmers must be convinced to become partners in progress. Otherwise, it would be like "killing the goose that lays golden eggs," he observed, and called for greater coordination between the Agriculture Department and the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.

He warned the Congress leaders against laxity in implementing the welfare schemes. At the same time, they must tell people to honour their commitments once they became beneficiaries of a programme. "Unless you directly tell the people about this, they will not believe you. Only good work can protect you from the bad press."

Recalling the Opposition's campaign against his call for raising alternative crops in rabi, he said it was uncalled for. "Let us not misuse a facility just because it is free or available abundantly. Ground water must be preserved to avoid hardships during the dry summer days."

The Chief Minister asked the Mayors and municipal chiefs to avoid discrimination in identifying beneficiaries under INDIRAMMA, the programme for building model towns and villages. He asked party leaders to ensure supply of new ration cards to all citizens before the old ones expired.

Free power supply

Dr. Reddy made it clear that people could not misuse the scheme of free power supply for single-bulb households.

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