Date:26/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/26/stories/2007082654651200.htm

National

“Examine efficacy of waiving loans”

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Congress is to urge the State government to examine the efficacy of waiving farm loans up to Rs.30,000 to check farmers’ suicides in Vidarbha.

Party spokesman Sanjay Nirupam told a press conference here on Saturday that the relief package waived only the interest and farmers continued to bear the burden of the principal. He said the government led by his party would be urged to find out how many farmers could be made debt-free if the loan amount up to Rs. 30,000 was waived.

The idea was mooted during the three-day long talks AICC general secretary Margaret Alva had with party office-bearers, legislators and Ministers in the State, he said. Recently, a panel set up by the Congress to study the farmers’ suicides had endorsed the view that the relief packages of the Centre and the State had not dissuaded farmers from taking the extreme step.