The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Move to extend loan waiver to all

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 07, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Move to extend loan waiver to all

Special Correspondent

Andhra Pradesh will request the Centre to allow the benefit to all farmers
If there is no response, it will work out a scheme on its own

HYDERABAD: Seeking to stave off criticism that the Centre’s loan waiver scheme will mainly benefit defaulting farmers, the Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh has decided in principle to extend it to those who have promptly repaid debts.

The State Government will initially request the Centre to allow the benefit to all farmers or, at least, bear the financial burden partially. If there is no positive response, the Government may work out a scheme on its own.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy held discussions with Ministers and senior officials here on Thursday.

Waiting for norms

Speaking to reporters later, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah said the Government would formulate a plan once the Centre issued guidelines for the loan waiver, which would reveal the actual number of beneficiaries and the extent of the financial burden.

Mr Rosaiah said another scheme on the anvil was to ensure sale of some more essential commodities, besides rice, to card-holders at subsided prices to arrest the inflationary trend in the open market. Edible oil would be sold for Rs. 60 a kg and red gram for Rs. 35 a kg.

Asked whether the Government was justified in taking these decisions without referring them to the Assembly, now in budget session, Mr. Rosaiah said the Chief Minister had informed the Assembly about the plan to sell oil and pulses at subsidised rates, while the loan waiver for the SCs/STs announced on Wednesday was a relief and not a policy decision.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh