Loan waiver amount to be remitted to farmers accounts in phase-wise: CM Kumaraswamy
Sringeri: “I have clarity on all development works including loan waiver. The coalition government has been working beyond the expectations. Visual media has been looking at the government with yellow eyes and ‘campaigning’ against the government for the last seven months saying that it would collapse today and tomorrow”, said Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
He was speaking after laying foundation stone for various development works worth Rs 150 crore at Gourishankara auditorium here on Thursday night. Along with various pro-people development works introduced by the previous government, the coalition government has implemented various other development programmes including a revolutionary farm loan waiver scheme. It was delayed to accumulate the data of farm loans availed from the nationalized banks and cooperative banks and framing the norms. But the loan waiver amount would be remitted to the accounts of the farmers in a phased manner, he clarified.
In nationalized banks, there were three categories like defaulters, NPA and repayers. But the government has come out with clear norms to incentives to those who have already repaid their loans. The government would pay the 50 per cent principal amount and its interest of 2.80 lakh NPA farmers. For 2 lakh farmers who have not repaid anything so far, the government would remit Rs 50,000 as first installment for each farmer to the banks on December 8 and 2.20 lakh honest borrowers who have already repaid their loans would get Rs 25,000 incentives, he said.
However, in primary agriculture development bank, the government would pay the interest on principal loan amount and the farmers would be given time for repayment. Under the Badavara Bandhu scheme, currently 50,000 beneficiaries were being given the loan and additional amount would also be given to those who repay the amount honestly.
The government has been giving loan up to Rs 5 lakh interest-free loan and Rs 5 lakh at lowest interest rate for self help groups and sthree shakti groups. A scheme would be inaugurated this month to purchase the products produced by the self help groups and sthree shakti groups. The coalition government has created a history by earmarking Rs 1200 crore for the construction of school buildings. Even then, some people have been saying that the government has not yet taken off, he said.
The Chief Minister also distributed gas stoves to Anila Bhagya beneficiaries and sanctioning letters of social security schemes to some beneficiaries. MLA TD Raje Gowda presided over the programme in which, Tourism Minister SR Mahesh, MLC SL Boje Gowda, SL Dharme Gowda, deputy commissioner MK Srirangaiah, IGP Arun Chakravarthy and other elected representatives were present.
“I have shown my commitment to construct bridges in place of foot bridges in Malnad region. I have directed the authorities to replace total 400 foot-bridges in Malnad. I will take the requests of people and activists on development of tanks and other water bodies and road developments in national parks, and Kasturirangan report. The coalition government is the government of 6.50 crore people of the state. I am working amidst the people. People can come to me directly and express their problems”.
- HD Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
