Against the target to forward Rs. 705 crore as interest-free crop loans to farmers this year, Rs. 215 crore has been disbursed so far, Cooperatives Minister Sellur K. Raju said on Thursday. Addressing Cooperatives department officials of Erode, Salem and Namakkal zones here,
Mr. Raju said women self-help groups have till date received Rs. 22 crore loan as against Rs. 91 crore target, and jewel loans to the extent of Rs. 1,474 crore have been forwarded through the cooperative banks out of a planned target of Rs. 5,500 crore. The Minister warned the officials that any lacuna in the functioning of public distribution system (PDS) would be strictly dealt with. District Collector V.K. Shanmugam, Registrar of Cooperatives P. Seetharaman and other senior officials took part.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Raju reviewed the performances of the District Consumer Cooperatives Wholesale Stores.At the Chinthamani outlet near the bus stand, the Minister made enquiries about the patronage for the Chief Minister’s Rs. 20 a kg rice scheme. He wanted the officials to make sure that medicines were sold through the outlet with 15 per cent discount.
