'2.48 lakh farmers from Kolhapur to benefit from loan waiver'

Kolhapur, Jun 26 (UNI) Maharashtra Marketing Minister Harshwardhan Patil today said about 2.48 lakh farmers in Kolhapur district will receive benefit of the government's loan waiver package.

The names of the beneficiaries will be declared by the end of this month, Mr Patil said while addressing a press conference here.

Mr Patil said there is some confusion about the five-acre land holding clause. He said a meeting will be held in Mumbai tomorrow to sort out the issue. The meeting will be presided over by the Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Mr Patil, who is the Kolhapur district guardian minister, said the district administration was geared to face any flood-like situation during the current monsoon season. A special flood control cell has been established in the district collectorate, he added.

He said the district collector was continuously monitoring the water levels of the rivers and is in constant touch with neighbouring Belgaum district collector regarding the water level of Almatti whose backwaters had led to the swelling of the Krishna and Panchganga rivers last time.

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