Farmers may get sweet news?
CM may follow Andhra-Telangana model to waive off the loans
Bengaluru, May 29: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who has said that he would declare the issue of loan waiver on Wednesday, is likely to follow Andhra and Telangana model in waiving off the farmers loans.
After holding a marathon meeting with the officials of the Finance department at his home office Krishna here on Tuesday, Kumaraswamy got information on pros and cons of waiving off Rs 53,000 crore farm loans on the state exchequer. The officials said that both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have waived off farmers loans to the tune of Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 17,000 crore respectively and they have been paying the concerned banks in installments.
After waiver off the loan amount, the government has to pay the amount to the banks in installments. As the governments have given security for financial transactions, the banks have agreed for this method. Now, the CM has discussed with the officials on following this model in the state, it is said.
Even the Chief Minister is also aware of the fact that it is impossible to pay Rs 53,000 crore at a time. Keeping this in mind, he has planned to follow Andhra and Telangana model. Sources said that the officials of the Finance department have also agreed for this proposal.
Meanwhile, the officials also have given suggestions on accumulating the additional amount to be paid in installments to the banks in order to ease the financial burden on the government. After holding the meeting with the leaders of the farmers’ organizations, the Chief Minister is likely to announce his decision, it is said.
Amidst the tug of war between JDS and Congress over getting finance portfolio, the Congress high command has given a green signal to keep the Finance Portfolio with the Chief Minister himself. When Kumaraswamy expressed his helplessness as the Chief Minister without Finance portfolio, the Congress high command changed its decision, it is said.
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BJP responsible for Sabarimala women entry verdict, LDF's stand same as 2007 affidavit: Min Vasavan
Kottayam (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Saturday blamed the BJP for the 2018 Supreme Court verdict permitting women's entry into Sabarimala and said the LDF government's current stand remains the same as the affidavit filed before the apex court in 2007.
He was responding to reporters' queries regarding the affidavit to be filed by the state government before the nine-member bench of the Supreme Court clarifying its position on the entry of women of menstruating age into the hill shrine.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the Supreme Court.
"We had filed an affidavit in 2007 stating that the issue should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters. We are still maintaining that stand," he said.
The Supreme Court has not sought the state government's position on women's entry now, but has asked for clarification on certain constitutional issues, he added.
"We have assigned the Advocate General and constitutional experts in the Supreme Court to give the reply. They will respond accordingly," the minister said.
He added that if the court seeks the state government's stand on the matter, it would be presented, noting that the LDF government had already stated its position in the affidavit filed in 2007.
"The party's (CPI-M) stand is the same as the government's. The government is with the devotees. We have always been with the devotees," he said.
The minister also criticised the opposition, alleging that they repeatedly approach courts on various issues and return with adverse responses.
"They go to court on several matters and come back with adverse responses. Has there been an opposition in Kerala that has faced so many setbacks from courts," he asked.
When asked about the state government’s actions in 2018 following the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala, he said no such interpretation should be made as the government had already clarified its stand in the 2007 affidavit.
"If the Supreme Court gives any verdict, can we say anything against it. The women’s entry was the decision of the apex court of the country," he said.
He said the 2018 verdict came after women lawyers associated with the BJP approached the SC.
"They are now hiding. Actually they were standing for it. But here they are taking a different stand," he said.
He further alleged that attempts to facilitate women's entry in 2018 were made by BJP activists.
"It was BJP's young lawyers who filed the case and received the verdict. They then called it a historic judgement. But after some stage, they changed their position," he claimed.
He said the LDF government's position was that it respects the Supreme Court's verdict.
"But in our affidavit filed in 2007 we clearly stated that the entry of women of menstruating age should be decided by experts in ritualistic matters," he said.
He denied allegations that the state government had taken special interest in facilitating the entry of women of menstruating age into Sabarimala in 2018.
The Supreme Court in 2018 permitted women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple, following which Kerala witnessed widespread protests.
Currently, the Supreme Court is considering appeals against the earlier verdict.
