Suicides by farmers will stop after loan waiver: Athavale

Pune, Mar 1 (UNI) Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athavale today welcomed the Union Budget presented by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram and expressed optimism that suicides by farmers will stop following the decision of loan waiver.

Speaking to reporters, he demanded that the State Government also consider waiving loans of scheduled castes (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST).

He said he will take up this demand with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh very soon.

Mr Athavale appealed to the authorities to check the licenses of private moneylenders, who gave loans to farmers, before settling the issue.

He also announced that his party will organise a rally on March 9 in Mumbai.

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