The State Government has sanctioned interest-free crop loan to the tune of Rs. 20,786 crore to a record number of 46.44 lakh farmers in the last four years, said Sellur K. Raju, Minister for Cooperation.
The State Government paid the seven per cent interest to the cooperative bodies for the farmers who promptly repaid the crop loans, Mr. Raju said while speaking at the valediction of the State-level 62nd All India Cooperative Week Celebrations held in the city on Friday evening.
The Centre decided to stop the subsidy for the provision of interest for crop loans procured by farmers in June last. But Chief Minister Jayalalithaa insisted on continuation of the scheme, which the Centre obliged. The cooperative bodies were extending financial assistance only for crops such as paddy, sugarcane, plantain etc. The Chief Minister understanding the plight of the horticulture farmers directed extending financial assistance for horticulture crops too. The cooperative institutions in the State have sanctioned loans to the tune of Rs. 251.61 crore to horticulture farmers so far, he said.
The department has marketed medicines worth Rs. 260 crore at 15 per cent discount through 100 Amma medical shops and 194 cooperative medical shops.
Edappadi K. Palanisamy, Minister for State Highways and Minor Ports, commended the cooperative societies for extending maximum financial assistance to the differently abled. He also hailed the role played by the cooperative societies in successfully running the fair price shops.
V. Sampath, District Collector, R. Ilangovan, Chairman, Tamil Nadu State Apex Cooperative Bank, S. Soundappan, Mayor, V. Panneerselvam, MP and others spoke.
Mr. Raju handed over the Outstanding Cooperative Institution award to the Salem District Central Cooperative Bank. It was received by R. Ilangovan, chairman of the bank and A. K. Sivamalar, Managing Director.
The Minister distributed welfare assistance under various heads to the tune of Rs. 5.24 crores to 1,420 beneficiaries on the occasion.
Site inspected
The Minister also inspected the site identified in Manjakuttai village panchayat for setting up Salem District Central Cooperative Bank Training Institute in Yercaud on Friday. Revenue officials informed the Minister about the availability of 4.15 acres of government land near the View Point in Manjakuttai panchayat.
Mr. Sellur Raju conducted surprise inspection of the Subramanianagar Cooperative Town Bank in Suramangalam in the city on Friday. He made enquiries with the officials on the locker facility being utilised by the customers. He inspected the registers and also held discussion with the officials on further improving the functioning of the bank. S. Srinivasna, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, and others were present.
