The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : MPs for legislation on debt relief

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Sunday, Nov 12, 2006
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

MPs for legislation on debt relief

Special Correspondent

Discuss State's problems with Ministers

V.S. Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kerala will press for a Central legislation on debt relief for farmers.

This was decided at a conference of the MPs with officials and Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, here on Saturday.

The members are also to press for special rehabilitation packages for farmers of five districts, the Vizhinjam project, restoration of allotment of wheat, assistance for the health sector and development of railways, among other things.

The Chief Minister told mediapersons after the conference that the debt relief commission proposed by the State Government would help only farmers who had taken small loans.

A Central legislation was needed to cover lending by nationalised and scheduled banks.

The State also wanted the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to be extended to all districts of the State.

The Chief Minister said he had urged the MPs to press for early submission of the report by M.S. Swaminathan who had been asked to study the problems of farmers in the State and suggest remedial measures. They would also press for the proposed Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science and Educational Research in Kerala.

Mr. Achuthanandan said that clearance for the Kuriyarkutty-Karappara project also needed to be taken up with the Centre.

The Centre had promised clearance if the proposed height of the dam was reduced by 1.5 metres.

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