Up to Rs 2 lakh loans in nationalized banks to be waived off
Cabinet decision
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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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
