Kdrala CM calls for setting up of a Natl. Debt Relief Commission

Bangalore, Feb 17 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today called for setting up of a National Debt Relief Commission on the lines with Kerala to redress the debt issues of farmers.

Addressing a public meeting here, as part of golden jubilee celebrations of the first Communist government in Kerala, he said that his government is planning to launch a campaign for persuading the Centre to bring in national legislation on similar lines for providing relief to debt ridden farmers in the country.

Stating that it was in the midst of massive suicides of debt ridden farmers as in many other states including Karnataka, he said that his government was sworn in and intervened in this issue.

More than 1500 farmers had committed suicide the tenure of the last LDF government in Kerala, he said adding that the entire outstanding bank credit incurred by suicide farmers were written off.

The government also helped the families of those who had committed suicide by paying them Rs 50,000 each, he added.

Moratorium was also announced for the repayment of loans in the case of other indebted farmers, he said.

"As a successor of the first EMS government, my government will go ahead with more and more people-oriented programmes. The government is committed to provide land for the land less and homes for homeless in the coming years.

He said his government has taken steps to bring in reforms in the education sector with an aim of ensuring merit and social justice.

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