About Rs 45 cr farm loans waived in Pondy: Minister

Puducherry, Jul 2 (UNI) The Puducherry administration has waived off the agricultural loans of 24,144 small and micro farmers, amounting to Rs 44.35 crore, as on June 30 last under the scheme announced by the UPA Government at the Centre, Agriculture Minister V Vaithilingam said here today.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Vaithilingam said the certificates of settlement were issued to the ryots, who would be provided with fresh loans soon. For 4,354 other farmers, one fourth of their loan amount would be waived off if they repay three-fourth of the loan by June next year.

The loans, obtained by farmers from cooperative institutions to the tune of Rs nine crore, would also form part of the waived Rs 44.35 crore, he added.

Mr Vaithilingam said apart from the Central scheme, the loan waiver announced by the territorial administration would also be considered.

In a bid to tide over the fertiliser scarcity in the Union Territory, Puducherry got 2,500 tonnes of fertilisers in the last two months and the Government had sought another 6,000 tonnes. The administration had also sought an additional 70 MW of power from the Central grid to meet the power requirements here, he added.

Mr Vaithilingam said he was satisfied with his recent New Delhi visit, during which he had called on Union Minister Vayalar Ravi and held discussions with him.

Apparently referring to the tussle between the Chief Minister and himself, he said all the happenings in Puducherry were being briefed to New Delhi immediately.

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