Loan waiver scheme okayed

HYDERABAD:The Telangana government formally approved the Rs 1 lakh loan waiver scheme for farmers and a special increment for government staff. One of the major electoral promises of the TRS, the farm loan waiver scheme, envisages waiver of crop loans, including gold loans, of up to Rs 1 lakh to a farmer.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who presided over the Cabinet meeting late on Monday night, discussed the loan waiver scheme, modalities for its implementation and approved a resolution in this regard. A GO to this effect was scheduled to be released on Tuesday night.

Health minister Dr T. Rajaiah said that the scheme would cost the exchequer Rs 18,000 crore and would benefit 40 lakh farmers in the state. “It is one of the major promises in the TRS election manifesto. The government has approved the same. The government is committed to fulfilling every promise made in the election manifesto,” he said.

Mr Rao cleared the file pertaining to special Telangana increments to government employees in the state, which will be included in the August salary to be paid in September.

Staff of government degree colleges, polytechnics, UGC and AICTU-approved universities wi-ll also get the special increment. Mr Rao had promised the special in crement to government employees for their imm-ense contribution to the Telangana movement.

Dr Rajaiah also said that the government had sent the joint secretary of finance to Mumbai to speak to RBI officials to ensure reschedulement of crops loans in all districts.

He added that the government would also fulfil its promise to regularise the services of 22,000 co-ntract employees including 12,000 in the medical and health department.

Asked about the Governor being entrusted with the law and order of Hyderabad, he said it was against the Constitution and the government would take up a legal battle if the orders pertaining to it were not withdrawn.

On Polavaram too he asserted that the government would fight to ensure the return of seven mandals that were merged with Andhra Pradesh through a special ordinance after bifurcation.