Mah CM denies IB probe into implementation of PM package in Vidarbha

Mumbai, Mar 17 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today denied that Intelligence Bureau (IB) had sent its official to probe into the implementation of the Prime Minister's package to farmers in into the suicide-prone districts of Vidarbha.

Replying to the motion of thanks to the Governor S M Krishna for his address to the joint session of both Houses of the State Legislature, Mr Deshmukh said the job of the IB is to collect information and that did not mean an inquiry.

''When the IB man approached officials in the state administration seeking information about the package, he was told to bring his request in writing. After which, he disappeared. We have written to the Centre about the incident and sought information as to whether any such IB official was sent to the state,'' Mr Deshmukh told the Legislative Assembly.

Mr Deshmukh said 80 per cent of the financial package announced by the State Government and the Prime Minister was to make provision for increasing the irrigation capacity of farmers in these districts and providing them with alternate source of income.

''In June 2006, the percentage of farmers committing suicide due to indebtedness was 46 per cent which has come down to 26 per cent,'' he informed.

Mr Deshmukh said waiver of loan availed by the farmers was not a solution to stop suicides.

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