Bengaluru, August 24: As announced in the Budget, the JDS-Congress coalition government on Friday decided to waive off the loans from nationalized banks up to Rs 2 lakh. The Cabinet also decided to waive off current loans up to Rs 2 lakh availed from the nationalized banks and this would cost Rs 32,000 crore burden on the state Exchequer.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy took the decision. Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Kumaraswamy said that earlier, nationalized banks have agreed for the loans waiver, but later backtracked from their decisions. The loan waiver would be implemented in phased manners in the next four years. Including the previous government’s loan waiver amount, the state government has the burden of Rs 43,000 crore now, for which, two nodal officers would be appointed to process it, he added.

It was already decided to accumulate the financial resources from the state Exchequer. The government has reserved Rs 6,500 crore for loan waiver during this financial year. In 2019-20, the government would reserve Rs 8,656 crore, Rs 7,876 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 7,231 crore in 2021-22 for loan waiver purpose. The banks have charged 12 per cent interest, for which Rs 7,419 crore interest would be borne by the government, he said.

From loan waiver decision, the government has to pay Rs 32,000 crore to the banks and it was decided in the Cabinet meeting on how to repay it in four years, he said.

Runaparihara Act again

Former chief minister Devaraj Urs had brought in Runaparihara Act in 1976. The loans availed from private money lenders and hand loans up to Rs 1,25,000 would also be waived off. The government has decided implement this Act through Ordinance under which those who recover loans forcefully would get one year jail term. It was decided to recommend the President for the approval, he said.



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Washington DC: The White House has reportedly ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, even as uncertainty continues over ongoing peace negotiations and a deadline set by US President Donald Trump approaches.

Issues bout a possible escalation had increased after US Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has “tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use” in dealing with Iran.

His remarks came amid rising tensions and ahead of a deadline linked to peace efforts.

The situation has attracted attention as Trump warned Iran that its “whole civilization will die tonight tonight” if an agreement is not reached by Tuesday at 8 pm.

This statement led to speculation about the possibility of extreme military measures, including a nuclear strike.

Following Vance’s comments, the White House issued a clarification distancing itself from such interpretations. In a post on X, it said, "Literally nothing @VP said here 'implies' this, you absolute buffoons." In a later statement, it added that “only the president knows” what action will be taken regarding Iran.