Kumaraswamy urges Centre to introduce farm loan at 4 Per cent int

Bangalore, Dec 10 (UNI) The Union Government was positive on providing interest subsidy on farm loans on the lines of four per cent interest introduced by the Karnataka government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said today.

Speaking to newspersons, the chief minister, who had just returned from Delhi after attending the National Development Council (NDC) meeting, said that during his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he urged him the need for bringing down the interest rate to four per cent on farm loans given by Nationalised Banks in the country as implemented by the State.

''I spoke to Dr Singh seeking his help to make nationalised banks disburse such loans and payment of interest subsidy be made a national policy. He (Dr Manmohan Singh) was positive to the suggestion. I hope the Union cabinet would discuss this as soon as possible,'' he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy said the State had also sought to increase the upper limit for giving environmental clearance for irrigation projects to Rs 450 crore from the present Rs 100 crore. This increase in the limit will enable the state to take up more small and medium projects immediately, he added.

The chief minister informed he had also sought early clearance of pending railway projects in the state and more funds for 'Suvarna Grama Yojana' to provide sufficient grants for the upliftment of backward regions.

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