Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday urged the Union government to waive crop loans borrowed by farmers from nationalised banks, in the wake of severe drought prevailing across the State.
He visited Malavalli of the district to inaugurate various development projects.
Addressing a gathering at the function, held near Shanthi College, he expressed severe displeasure at the Centre not responding to the State government’s demands.
He reiterated that the State government would waive loans availed by cooperative banks and societies only if the Centre waived off loans from nationalised banks.
Only around 20 % of farmers have taken loans from cooperative societies, which come under the State sector.
But, the farming community has borrowed around ₹42,000-crore loans from nationalised banks, the Chief Minister said.
Instructions have been given to banks not to issue notices to the defaulters of crop loans, he said.
Later, speaking to presspersons, Mr. Siddaramaiah ruled out the possibilities of re-inducting the former Minister M.H. Ambareesh, who was dropped from his cabinet last year.
Meanwhile, some BJP workers attempted to stop his vehicle and raised slogans against Mr. Siddaramaiah for “inaugurating development works when the district is reeling under drought”.
Later, he took senior police officials to task in connection with the protest. Energy minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the State government will establish a power generation unit at a cost of ₹1,000 crore at Shimsha near Malavalli in the district.
Ministers T.B. Jayachandra, M. Krishnappa and M.B. Patil, MLA P.M. Narendra Swamy and others were present.
Members of some organisations, near a temporary helipad, submitted a memorandum to Mr. Siddaramaiah and urged him to waive crop loans.
