Interest rate on farm loans reduced: CM

Jabalpur,MP, Mar 25 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced reduction of interest rate for farm loans to three per cent for farmers suffering at least 75 per cent damage to crops due to recent rainfall and hailstorm.

''Loans will be made available to farmers through cooperative banks,'' Mr Chouhan told reporters here.

Pointing out that an amendment was needed in the RBC, he said a committee -- headed by himself and comprising the Finance Minister -- had been constituted. The committee will present its report within a month.

On office of profit issue, the Chief Minister described Congress President Sonia Gandhi's resignation from the Lok Sabha and as NAC Chairperson as ''politics and not sacrifice.'' He said the Congress legislators had created a ruckus in the assembly over the issue and were now demonstrating on roads to please ''Ms Gandhi'' and determine their role in politics.

''Congress is giving importance to the issue, as it has no agenda for public welfare,'' he said.

He said being an MP as well as Chief Minister did not come under office of profit issue. Besides, as per a legislation, the post of a Municipal Corporation Chairman did not come under the category.

Mr Chouhan said the government had reviewed the matter of beating up of a particular community members by an organisation called Mukti Sena for not attending a 'dharam sabha (religious meet) in tribal-dominated Mandala district.

''Strict action will be taken against organisations that threatened people,'' he added.

UNI RG-PS MSJ RK1645