Interest-free loans to farmers under consideration: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 19 (UNI) The government is considering to provide interest-free loans to farmers, particularly to paddy cultivators in the state, Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac said today.

However, the government had not taken a decision on how to implement the scheme and the next Cabinet meeting will discuss the issue and take a final decision in this regard, he said.

Mr Isaac said the government will organise a ''food security campaign'' to make the state self-sufficient in producing food grains.

Though the state could not produce all food items for its use, the move would help to produce a good share within the state, he added.

Claiming that the NABARD had agreed to release more funds to the state developmental activities, including tourism, he said it had relased Rs 1,000 crore for this financial year.

Stating that it had also agreed for the first time to provide funds to incomplete works, he said the government would utilize Rs 500 crore for drinking water projects, including seven projects which had got clearance from the Centre.

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