Date:20/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/20/stories/2008042055080600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

YSR promises ‘Pavala Vaddi’ scheme for ryots

Special Correspondent

YERRAGUNTLA (KADAPA DT.): Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday promised crop loans to farmers at ‘pavala vaddi’ from next year. Addressing a public meeting in Praja Patham programme at Yerraguntla, he said the United Progressive Alliance had reduced interest on crop loans to seven per cent, from 13 to 15 per cent prevalent in the NDA rule. Moreover, the UPA Government recently extended a Rs. 60,000-crore loan waiver to farmers. The loan waiver amounting to Rs. 12,000 crores in Andhra Pradesh benefited 78 lakh farmers, out of a total of 1.05 crore farmers.

Though the Government cannot refund the loans paid by the remaining farmers, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said the Government was proposing to benefit them to an extent of Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000. Praja Patham was being implemented in the scorching summer as people would face problems on account of scarcity of drinking water, power supply problems, lack of work and consequent migration of labour, he said and assured to resolve the problems.

The Chief Minister sought people’s blessings considering his dedicated efforts to assist all sections.