The Hindu : Karnataka News : Caution against communal politics

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Friday, Mar 14, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Caution against communal politics

Correspondent

Kumarswamy distributes
Rs. 10 crore
as loan to SHGs

CHIKMAGALUR: The former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has called upon people to be cautious about people who indulge in communal politics.

Laying foundation stone for a Rs. 5-crore self-employment workshop building of the Chikmagalur District Cooperative Central Bank Limited here on Thursday, he said that the peaceful atmosphere of Chikmagalur district was marred by naxal activities on the one hand and the row over Datta Jayanti on the other.

Mr. Kumaraswamy distributed loans amounting to Rs. 10 crore to more than 700 self-help groups (SHGs) in the district.

He stressed the need to develop SHGs in rural areas in order to make women economically independent and self-reliant.

Commending the bank for the progress achieved in distributing loans to SHGs, he pointed out that these groups were prompt in repaying loans unlike some industrialists.

S.L. Bhoje Gowda, president of the bank, in his welcome speech, lashed out at the leaders of the BJP and Congress party who had criticized this programme as an election gimmick and had questioned the propriety of inviting Mr. Kumaraswamy to distribute the loans.

Mr. Kumaraswamy was instrumental in reducing the interest on loans to SHGs to four per cent.

S.L. Dharme Gowda, president of the Karnataka Co-operative Marketing Federation, spoke.

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