CM to announce loan waiver in 15 days

Bengaluru: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has sought 15 days time to announce the government’s proposal on farm loan waiver. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara had earlier held a meeting with representatives of farmers from 30 districts. They had sought suggestions on the issue and Kumaraswamy had said that he will make an announcement after consulting the Congress.

Now, Kumaraswamy has postponed it by another 15 days. He said that the loan waiver scheme would be implemented in two phases and that loans of all farmers, irrespective of their loan or the land they own, will be waived off. The farmers also demanded that all types of loans borrowed from national banks and cooperative banks be waived off. The entire amount would add up to Rs. 53,000 crore.

Kumaraswamy said that a decision can be taken by the government only after discussing the matter with Congress President Rahul Gandhi and with bankers. Until then, he requested the farmers to not take extreme decisions like taking their life.