Bangalore: Bowing to pressure from the Opposition and farmers, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Thursday extended the deadline for repayment of principal by farmers for them to become eligible for the loan waiver scheme by a month, up to April 30.

Making a suo motu statement in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Yediyurappa, who holds the Finance portfolio, said the extended deadline would also apply to weavers and fishermen.

Members cutting across party lines had demanded that the deadline be extended till the end of May or June.

In another statement, Mr. Yediyurappa also gave relief to sugarcane growers.

He announced that purchase tax would be waived on sugarcane sold by growers for a period of one year, from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008.

Sugar factory managements would have to pay this amount directly to the eligible growers during the next one year, and the authorities had been directed to issue orders accordingly.

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