With distressed farmers continuing suicides in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday appealed to the farmers of the drought-affected areas that they needed no worry about repayment of their loans as their agricultural loans would be rescheduled.
Assuring the distressed farmers of all possible helps, Patnaik said, “The State Government has taken a decision to reschedule agriculture loans and strong action will be taken against unscrupulous moneylenders.”
Patnaik was talking to reporters here after coming back from New Delhi completing his five-day tour.
He said, “The State Government is with our farmers and has all along been working to protect their interests.”
He said the Government was implementing a drought package of about `1,000 crore for farmers.
Patnaik also maintained he had asked Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to provide a special Central assistance of at least `3,500 crore at the earliest to tackle the State’s drought situation. Regarding the Posco issue, Patnaik said he had asked the Union Finance Minister to call a high-level meeting at the earliest.