Date:14/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/14/stories/2009011460711100.htm

National

BJP: we will ensure that farmers get cheaper loans

Special Correspondent

Our government will provide loans at four per cent: Rajnath

NEW DELHI: BJP president Rajnath Singh on Tuesday promised that a government led by the party at the Centre would ensure that farmers got loans at not more than four per cent interest.

He was speaking at a meeting where farmers’ representatives met National Democratic Alliance’s prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani here.

Mr. Advani said the debt waiver announced by the United Progressive Alliance government had not ended the plight of farmers who continued to commit suicide in large numbers in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and some other States.

He pointed out that the growth of agriculture was not adequate and its share in the overall Gross Domestic Product had fallen. With over 60 per cent of the population still dependent on agriculture, this sector needed to be given maximum attention. The large number of people dependent on agriculture was also the reason for India’s social and economic problems, including unemployment and under employment.