Loan waiver only for Cooperative Loans: Kumaraswamy

Gulbarga, Feb 4 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said the government was firm on its decision of waiving loans taken by farmers from the Cooperative sector.

He ruled out the possibility waiving farm loan taken from Nationalised Banks. ''I have been telling since the beginning that only cooperative loans would be waived and not that of nationalised banks,'' he added.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that ''the waiver would cost Rs 4,600 Crore to the state exchequer.'' Reiterating the government's commitment to provide compensation to the families of farmers who committed suicide following crop loss, Mr Kumaraswamy said that steps would be taken immediately after receiving reports from the officials concerned.

Replying to a question on ban on lotteries, he said that the government was considering ban on all lotteries, including the one run by the government and expressed helplessness to ban ''on-line'' lotteries because the issue was in the Court.

The Chief Minister said that the state budget for 2007-08 would be pro-people and would satisfy all sections of people.

Dismissing allegations that the election for Legislative Council Chairman post was not held since the Coalition partners-- JD(s) and BJP did not enjoy majority in the Council, Mr Kumaraswamy said that he would soon hold a meeting with opposition parties about holding election.

UNI