Chhattisgarh CM promises interest-free loans

Raipur, Nov 5 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today announced that the state's farmers would be supplied free power for pumps upto 5 Horsepower and provided interest-free loans after the Bharatiya Janata Party retains power.

Pending electricity bills for such pumps would also be waived. The announcements were made during poll meetings in Koriya and Bilaspur districts. ''There was a phase when interest on agricultural loans far exceeded that on car loans. My government sequentially reduced interest rates to 3 per cent but peasants are not in a position to pay even that '' Dr Singh said.

Claiming that the quantum of work completed during the past five years of BJP rule in Chhattisgarh exceeded that of the Congress in five decades, the Chief Minister alleged that the Congress did not fulfil the opposition's role in this state, its leaders busied themselves in fighting and were now shamming unity to wrest power.

''The Congress has not brought forward a single piece of evidence relating to its corruption-linked allegations. As it does not have any poll issue it is attempting to mislead voters,'' he added.

UNI AS-AC RJ HT1944