CM, FM to discuss Rural Indebtedness Bill with Chidambaram

Jalandhar, July 30 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Finance Minister Surinder Singla will hold discussion on August 8 with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on financial aspects of the Rural Indebtedness Bill proposed to be brought by the state government during the Monsoon Session of the state assembly.

Talking to reporters here today, Finance Minister Mr Singla said that the Punjab Government would also take up again with the Centre the issue of insufficient hike in minimum support price of paddy and would exert pressure for further revision of MSP.

However, he expressed his government's inability in offering any relief to farmers on its own.

The state government is contemplating tabling of Rural Indebtedness Bill during the Monsoon Session of the state assembly for providing relief to farmers from debt burden. While the state government was ready to waive loans advanced by state cooperative banks to farmers, it required nod and funds from the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for providing relief to farmers from debts owned by them to aradiya (commission agents).

The Opposition, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had criticised the government for not taking it into confidence over this issue and urged that the draft of the Bill should be provided to the Opposition well in advance to give reasonable time to study the same and prepare itself for the issue.

The Opposition has also condemned the government for brief Sessions of the Assembly.

However, Finance Minister Mr Singla said the ruling party was ready for discussions and debates on every issue and Opposition party should also prepare itself for the same.

He said that brief session would not be a problem as it could be extended if required so.

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