Thiruvananthapuram: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has allayed the fears of Kerala over the co-operative sector in the state and said that the deposits in the co-operative banks are safe. He gave the assurance to a UDF delegation led by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala who called on Mr Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Tuesday. The UDF leaders, who are scheduled to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday over the demonetisation issue, also called on President Pranab Mukherjee and sought his intervention in various matters.
The delegation told Mr Jaitely of the problems faced by the primary as well as district co-operative banks. Mr Jaitley then called NABARD chairman before the state delegation. Later, Mr Chennithala told reporters that Mr Jaitley admitted that compared to other states the co-operative sector in the state was better. “However, despite the central government’s assurances, nothing had worked out in favour so far,” he said.
Besides Mr Chennithala, the delegation consisted of E. Ahamed, P. K. Kunhalikutty, N. K. Premachandran, Dr. Varghese George, C. P. John, Anoop Jacob, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, M. M. Hassan, V. D. Satheesan, K. C. Joseph, P. V. Abdul Wahab, Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and V. K. Ebrahimkunju. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy and KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran were absent. The UDF leaders later submitted a memorandum to the President on the demonetisation chaos. The delegation will also meet Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday to convey Kerala's concerns on the ration rice distribution.
