Waiver of loans only can prevent farmers' suicides: Gadkari

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Nov 9 (UNI) Maharashtra BJP President Nitin Gadkari today said a complete waiver of loans to the farmers was the only way to stop suicides by farmers in the state, which rose even after the announcement of package by the Prime Minister.

Addressing media Mr Gadkari said the farmers' loans may be waived in the One Time Settlement (OTS) way.

He came down heavily on the Democratic Front(DF) government and alleged that the government lacked vision. He suggested concrete steps to address the issues related to the farmers as well as agriculture sector in the state.

The Senior BJP leader alleged that district co-operative banks and land development banks which are the link between the NABARD and the farmers were responsible for the higher rate of interest, compared to the few states in the country, who offer low interest loans to the farmers at the rate of 6.5 per cent.

The finance which was made available at the rate of 5 per cent by the NABARD, was being actually transferred by the co-operative banks at the higher rate of 13 to 14 per cent to the farmers in the state, Mr Gadkari alleged and suggested the state government to draft a policy in order to issue clear directives to the district banks.

Referring to the various scams that took place in the district banks in the state, Mr Gadkari said the crores of rupees lost by these banks in the scams were the hard earned money of the farmers, and alleged that these banks had looted the farmers by various ways over these years.

To a question, Mr Gadkari said the present loadshedding also has its bad effect on the agriculture sector in the state, many farmers were even deprived of power connection to their pumpsets and those who had electricity connections were not able to put the pumps on when required.

To a poser, the state BJP chief said the state government should invite the members of the Shetkari Sanghatana for talks on the issue of Sugarcane prices.

Mr Gadkari, however, said the per tonne rate of Rs 2200 as demanded by the Shetkari Sanghatana may not be affordable to the sugar cane factories.

The Senior BJP leader said the rate should be decided and finalised by the state government and he was ready to join the meeting of the Sanghatana and Government, if invited, to resolve the issue, on which the Sanghatana had already launched an agitation in various parts of the state.

UNI MPJ PM SI HT1655