Alimony loan waiver for tribals under consideration: Deshmukh

Nashik, Apr 30 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said the government was considering an alimony loan waiver given to tribals in the state.

''The state government is considering the proposal for waiver of Rs 200 crore alimony loan given to tribals in the state by Tribal Development Department'' Mr Deshmukh said after inaugurating the Punand Irrigation Project at Jaydar in Kalwan taluka of this district.

The Chief Minister assured that the state government will provide a helping hand to the farmers who are deprived of the Union Government's loan waiver scheme.

On the occasion, a mass marriage function was also held wherein 471 tribal couples tied the knot. Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil presided over the function.

The Chief Minister while listing the steps taken by his government, said Rs 2,000 crore funds have been made available to the Tribal Devlopment Department and Rs 150 crore additional funds to the Tapi Valley Development Corporation.

The ''Kanyadaan'' scheme of the state government is providing benefit in tribal areas, Mr Deshmukh said while adding that committees have been constituted to oversee distribution of forest land to tribals.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said a daughter's marriage imposed severe burden on poor families and the government's ''Kanyadaan'' scheme had provided relief to some extent.

Water Resources Minister Ajit Pawar, while speaking on the occasion, said the Punand Project had been included in the AIBP scheme and the state government had received Rs 1700 crore funds under it.

UNI GB MAZ AG SP VC2100