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Mr K. Rosaiah

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, March 6 The Andhra Pradesh Government has taken a decision to extend the debt waiver facility to farmers who have promptly re-paid the loans in addition to the scheme announced by the Union Government in the Budget.

This follows a meeting of the Chief Minister, Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, with officials here on Thursday.

This is perceived as a move to stem the criticism that the loan waiver announced by the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, during the budget, will benefit only defaulters leaving out farmers who have re-paid sincerely.

The State Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, said that the State was planning to launch some schemes outside the budget purview, including waiver of loans to farmers who would not be covered by the recent announcement made in the Union Budget.

The guidelines would be formulated and necessary data gathered to facilitate this move, he said. However, the State would first seek the Centre’s permission to allow the benefit of waiver to farmers not covered or at least partially ease financial burden, Mr Rosaiah said.

The State was also considering another scheme to ensure sale of other essential commodities, in addition to rice, to card holders at subsidised prices aimed at arresting the inflationary trend in the open market. While edible oil would be sold at Rs 60 a kg, pulses such as red gram would be sold for Rs 35 per kg.

The Chief Minister had recently announced that the State was considering a bonus scheme for farmers, wherein they would get part of the benefits of the overall State produce. The State is likely to post a bumper crop this year.

More Stories on : Budget | Farm credit | Andhra Pradesh

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