NOC for all farmers at a time: Minister Kashampur
Bengaluru, August 13: Cooperative Minister Bandeppa Kashempur said that the state government has decided to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to all farmers at a time as it has already waived of Rs 9,448 crore crop loan availed from cooperative societies.
Speaking to reporters at his office at Vidhana Soudha here on Monday, the Minister said that the government has waived of the agriculture loan up to Rs 1 lakh till July 10, 2018. Now, the government has declared the waiver of short term loans up to Rs 1 lakh availed from primary agriculture credit cooperative societies and DCC Banks. One family would get the loan waiver benefit up to Rs 1 lakh. If the farmer who had availed the loan died, his family members would get that benefit. If the farmer has already repaid the loan completely, then the loan amount would be credited to the savings account of the farmer through Direct Beneficiary Transfer system, he said.
Out of 78 lakh farmers, 22 lakh farmers have been getting loans from cooperative banks and 26 lakh farmers have been availing loans from nationalized banks and remaining farmers were not able to get the loans. Now, the department has planned to give loans to such farmers through cooperative societies, he said.
Financial aid requested
In order to disburse loans to the farmers, the state government has sought financial assistance from NABARD. So far, the government was getting 40 per cent financial assistance and now, demand was placed to increase it to 75 per cent and was expecting 60 per cent assistance, he said.
The cooperative societies and banks have disbursed Rs 10,700 crore loan to the farmers. Of which, the government has waived of Rs 9,448 crore loan. The government has already directed the primary credit cooperative societies to display the list of borrowers, he said.
Bogus accounts
While linking Aadhaar numbers to the transactions in cooperative societies, total Rs 50 crore was found 6000 bogus accounts. So, the account holders list would be announced and action would be taken against bogus accounts holders, he said.
“In order to instill confidence among farmers, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has transplanted paddy saplings in Mandya. He would be invited to North Karnataka to offer pooja to Tur, moong and other produces. The Chief Minister would participate in agriculture activities in Bidar”.
- Bandeppa Kashempur, Cooperative Minister
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Kharge says LPG crisis due to govt's lack of planning, BJP accuses Cong of creating anarchy
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday held the government responsible for the current LPG crisis by not taking preemptive measures, evoking a sharp counter from Union Minister J P Nadda, who accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy in the country and indulging in politics instead.
Raising the matter during the Zero Hour in the House, Kharge accused the government of not doing advance planning and making alternative arrangements for LPG imports as the government "knew" that the West Asia crisis could impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies.
Rebutting him strongly, Nadda, who is also Leader of the House, accused opposition parties, especially Congress, of not standing with the people but of instigating them.
"The LPG crisis has caused widespread panic across the entire nation. Its impact is severely affecting the poor and vulnerable sections, the middle class, ordinary households, restaurants, hostels, and commercial users," Kharge said.
India imports nearly 60 per cent of its total LPG requirements. Of this, 90 per cent of imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. From this perspective, Kharge said the current situation has become a matter of serious concern for both domestic availability and price stability.
He said the effects of the LPG crisis are being felt in nearly every part of the country, and people in households are distressed.
Kharge sought to highlight that small roadside eateries, restaurants, hostels — all are impacted. From community kitchens to Ram Rasoi, everything has shut down. Not just homes — MSMEs and other commercial users are facing severe difficulties in obtaining LPG cylinders.
"It is concerning that many establishments have limited or completely halted their operations. Some are purchasing at exorbitant rates, over Rs 5,000 per cylinder," the senior Congress leader claimed.
Kharge further said that the Union Petroleum Minister had claimed in the Lok Sabha that there is no shortage of LPG and called for caution against rumours.
"But the ground reality proves the government's claims wrong," he added.
He said that when the government was issuing advisories to Indian citizens in Iran that the situation could worsen, it should have clearly stated that this could also impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies, and should have taken steps in advance.
"Government very well knew that a crisis was impending at the Strait of Hormuz. The situation would not have been that bad had advance planning and alternative arrangements for LPG imports done in advance," Kharge said.
He said the waiting period for cylinder bookings in the country has also been extended, now 25 days in cities and 45 days in villages/remote areas.
This has triggered panic booking and increased the likelihood of hoarding, he said.
The Congress leader questioned why the government did not take stringent measures if it knew that the LPG crisis in the country would escalate.
"Why didn't it take the people and opposition in confidence? This crisis exposes the government's dismal management and flawed foreign policy," he said, and demanded a discussion on the issue.
While Kharge was making his remarks, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan repeatedly asked him to conclude as only three minutes are allowed to a speaker during the Zero Hour. However, the Chair allowed him extra time.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had given a detailed response on the issue in the Lok Sabha, but Congress members did not hear him out.
The Minister said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was given the floor in the Lower House to speak on the issue, but he spoke on other things instead.
Nadda lamented that the Opposition, especially the Congress, is not hesitating to indulge in politics even during times of crisis.
He said the current West Asia conflict is not due to India and has no contribution.
The senior BJP leader said a Congress leader has also been caught hoarding LPG cylinders.
"They are resorting to hoarding of cylinders. They are instigating people. They are inciting the peaceful people of the country, and this is very unfortunate that even in such a situation, they are indulging in politics.
"Instead of standing with the country, they are trying to create anarchy...This is condemnable," Nadda added.
