Karnataka disburses 0% interest loans to 13,689 farmers this year amid funding constraints
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has reportedly disbursed zero-interest farm loans to 13,689 farmers in the current financial year, despite 1.73 lakh farmers across the state meeting the eligibility criteria.
Co-Operation Minister K.N. Rajanna attributed the limited loan distribution to a reduction in funds from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Deccan Herald reported on Wednesday.
Responding to a query by BJP MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, Rajanna stated, “Last year, we disbursed Rs 5,800 crore in farm loans. However, with NABARD slashing its subsidised loan for the agriculture sector by 58 percent, we were unable to provide loans to all farmers.”
Meanwhile, data presented before the House revealed that the state government granted loans only to 6,744 farmers, with a total disbursement of Rs 290.51 crore, DH added.
Rajanna expressed concern over farmers preferring to deposit their savings in commercial banks while seeking loans from co-operative societies.
The minister noted that farmers should understand that co-operative societies cannot print notes. “Co-operative societies have no other resources. Due to the shortage of funds, we cannot disburse the entire loan,” he added.
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Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
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"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
