HP committed to provide better deal to OBCs, says CM

Shimla, Sep 19 (UNI) As a goodwill gesture towards Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today promised them lower rate of interest on loans, course specific study loans and removal of government servant security for availing loans.

Addressing the third annual meeting of Other Backward Classes Welfare Board here, he said the Himachal Government would urge the Centre to reduce the rate of interest on loans for OBCs from six per cent to four per cent beside other things.

Mr Singh said the lowering of the rate of interest on loans would help the OBCs in availing the facility, being provided by the OBC Development and Finance Corporation.

Till now, six per cent rate of interest is being charged on a loan of Rs five lakh, while no interest is being charged for availing educational loans upto Rs 50,000, he said.

He said the state government would make efforts for providing course specific loans, extending up to five to six years.

The government would also consider removing the condition of a government servant guarantor to OBC people for availing the loan, he said, adding that it would simplify the procedure and cut down on paper formalities.

Mr Singh said his government has sent a proposal to the Ganga Water Management Authority for financing the Bata River Channelisation, which would entail an estimated cost of Rs 27 crore, in Sirmaur district of the state.

The channelisation of the river would prevent the washing away of the cultivable land, which was eroding due to floods every year, he said.

He said road construction activities by private people should be aligned and surveyed by the PWD authorities to make the roads safe for plying all types of vehicles.

The Himachal government would provide one veterinary dispensary for every two panchayats to begin with in the first phase followed by a dispensary in each and every panchayat in the second phase, he said, adding that 75 veterinary dispensaries would be opened during this financial year.

He said standardized veterinary health care facilities would be created in every gram panchayat.

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