The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Interest-free loans for paddy farmers

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Interest-free loans for paddy farmers

Special Correspondent

Mullakkara Ratnakaran says the scheme has already been implemented in Palakkad.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran told the Assembly on Wednesday that interest-free loans to paddy cultivators would be extended to all paddy-growing areas of the State.

The Minister made this announcement after Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac concurred with the idea during a debate in the House on the demand for grants for agriculture.

Mr. Ratnakaran noted that the scheme had already been carried out in Palakkad district. The farmers had been given green cards to avail themselves of the credit.

The Minister lamented that no Central assistance had been received so far to compensate farmers for the losses suffered on account of heavy rain during the summer. The State government had, however, sanctioned Rs.25 crore for relief.

He recalled that Wayanad district had been declared a distressed district as per the recommendation of the Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission. The government had stayed recovery of all agriculture loans up to Rs.25, 000. The commission had passed 5,000 awards and the dues were now to be settled between the cooperatives and the government.

The State government would repay the loans not covered under the Central government’s debt waiver. After the Minister’s reply, the House passed the demand for Rs.526.60 crore.

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