Farm loan waiver: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy seeks 15 days' time
What's the story
Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy today said saving farmers is the priority of his government, and as promised he would honor his commitment to waive farm loans within 15 days and insisted there was "no going back" on it.
He met representatives of farmers groups to discuss the problems faced by them.
The BJP has been targeting him over the "delay" in keeping that promise.
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Our government is committed to saving farmers, says Kumaraswamy
"We will come to a decision in 15 days. In 15 days, it will get completely implemented. Whatever may be the difficulty, our government is committed to maintaining fiscal discipline, and also saving you (farmers)," Kumaraswamy told the gathering.
Statement
Rahul Gandhi was also committed to farm loan waiver: Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy said he and Deputy CM G Parameshwara will discuss the issue with Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
"I'm getting it (the loan amount) calculated, whatever thousand crore rupees it is...saving you is our government's responsibility," he told farmers.
Kumaraswamy also said he would call a meeting of representatives of nationalized banks in 2-3 days and seek information about farm loans extended by them.
Context
Before elections, Kumaraswamy promised to write off agricultural loans
In the run-up to the Assembly polls, the JD(S) leader had promised to write off agricultural loans totaling a whopping Rs. 53,000 crore within 24 hours of coming to power.
The CM had recently said he would retire from politics if he failed to honor the promise.
The meeting was attended by Parameshwara, Govinda Karajola (BJP), and senior officials of the state government.
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Kumaraswamy heading a coalition government in the state
The CM asked farmers not to "fall prey to the BJP conspiracy". But before doing that, he had said, since he was heading a coalition government, he would have to consult the alliance partner and take into account the financial condition of the state.