Loans at less interest rate for farmers

Gwalior (MP), Apr 12 (UNI) Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia today said the Centre will make available loans to farmers at lower interest rate.

''At present, farmers get loans at 12-15 per cent interest rate, while big industrialists are given loans at nine per cent interest rate. The government has decided to rectify the discrepancy,'' Mr Scindia told Kisan Sammelan organised by the party here today.

He said the Centre has decided to provide loans at seven per cent interest rate to agriculturists.

Besides, the Centre has launched the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme for providing power in remotest villages.

Taking potshots at the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh Government for neglecting farmers, the Congress leader said the government has been unable to provide electricity in time to farmers let alone take serious note of other problems of peasants.

Former state minister Balendu Shukla said farmers and animals will start migrating unless water and electricity problems were resolved in time.

He feared a situation like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra driving farmers to commit suicide. However, he said, the Congress will not let such a situation arise.

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