The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Centre to favourably consider State’s request

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Centre to favourably consider State’s request

Special Correspondent

Absorbing waiver of cooperative crop loans into Central scheme

— Photo: R. Ragu

BOOK RELEASE: S.S. Palanimanickam, Union Minister of State for Finance, releasing a book at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Chennai Custom House Agents Association in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The Centre will consider favourably the State’s request for absorbing its waiver of cooperative crop loans into the Centre’s agricultural debt waiver and debt relief scheme, Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palanimanickam said here on Saturday.

[The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, on assumption of office in May 2006, announced waiver of cooperative loans and interest thereon outstanding as on March 31 2006, amounting to Rs.7,000 crore.]

When pointed out that the Centre was yet to clarify its position, Mr. Palanimanickam, replied that the State government’s decision was the inspiration for the Centre’s move to come out with its scheme.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the golden jubilee celebration of the Chennai Custom House Agents’ Association.

Collection up

He said customs collections in the previous financial year had gone up by 20 per cent.

Operations of the Customs Department would be further streamlined and proposals, if any, emanating from the industry, were welcome.

The Union Minister wanted the association to assume social responsibility and alleviate the sufferings of vulnerable sections of society.

K. Suresh, Chennai Port Trust chairman, said on some occasions, overhead charges were levied on unaccompanied baggage in containers. This called for a remedy.

Dinesh Kumar, Chennai Airport Director, said while the global cargo growth was eight per cent, India had posted over 16 per cent growth.

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