TDP stages walkout over loan waiver scheme

Hyderabad, Aug 26: Members of the Opposition TDP today staged a walkout in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council in protest against the state government's refusal to constitute a House Committee to inquire into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the loan waiver scheme, announced by the Centre.

Replying to a question by Dadi Veerbhadra Rao (TDP) and others, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy said loans amounting to Rs 11,354 crore of 63.40 lakh farmers were written off while 38.11 lakh farmers were not covered under the scheme.

The proposal for providing Rs 5,000 each to the farmers not covered under the scheme, was under consideration and steps would be taken on receipt of required details from banks.

To another question, raised by Dr Rayapati Srinivas (Cong), the Minister said chilli crop in Guntur district worth Rs 326 crore was destroyed in untimely rains in February and March this year.

He said the government had made partial payment of the compensation to the farmers.

UNI