Karnataka   

Artisans seek cheaper loans

DAVANGERE: Activists of the Karnataka Rajya Vishwakarma Kushala Karmigala Okkuta (State Artisans Forum) took out a procession here on Tuesday demanding that the Government set up a separate Artisans Development Corporation and offer them loans at an interest rate of three per cent a year.

The protesters, led by Ramesh Char and Ramesh Raikar, later staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

In a memorandum submitted to the official, they urged the Chief Minister to fulfil the assurances mentioned in the party manifesto.

Mr. Char said artisans such as carpenters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, chariot makers and sculptors were in living in miserable conditions owing to inadequate financial support.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, they said, had announced loans at an interest rate of three per cent for fishermen and weavers, but had not covered artisans. There were over 35 lakh artisans in the State, Mr. Char said and appealed to the Chief Minister to take a decision in this regard at the earliest.

They also sought employment for artisans under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

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