The Hindu : National : Rs. 530-crore relief package for farmers

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Friday, Jan 18, 2008
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Rs. 530-crore relief package for farmers

P. Sunderarajan

Towards waiver of overdue interest

Total commitment to the tune of Rs. 1,889 crore
Decision to benefit farmers in 31 districts

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved an additional release of Rs. 530 crore towards waiver of overdue interest on agricultural credit in the 31 debt-stressed districts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra.

Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the sum would be the final share of the Centre towards such waiver. The Centre had paid Rs. 1,359 crore out of its total commitment of Rs. 1,889 crore. The decision would benefit farmers in the 31 districts whose loans were overdue as on July 1, 2006.

246 technical posts

The Cabinet gave its nod for filling up 246 technical posts through direct recruitment in partial relaxation of the guidelines of the Annual Direct Recruitment Plan in six organisations under the Department of Commerce — Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Tea Board, Spices Board, Marine Products Export Development Authority and the Export Inspection Council of India.

The move is aimed at ensuring that the strategic functions of the organisations, which include research and development, extension service, and market development, are carried out in a sustainable manner.

The Cabinet cleared the creation of a post of Joint Secretary in the National AIDS Control Organisation, and the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to give modifications to the lists of scheduled tribes in Arunachal Pradesh.

MoU

It also approved the signing of an MoU with the Southern African Customs Union for exchange of tariff concessions on a selected list of products and a treaty with Australia on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

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