AP govt for rescheduling of farm loans

The state government will ask banks to reschedule existing loans in the 607 mandals affected by heavy rains from October to December this year. The government will also ask banks to extend fresh loans, particularly to tenant farmers.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy discussed crop loans distribution at his Camp Office with chief secretary SV Prasad and other officials. This meeting holds significance because the State Level Bankers' Committee is meeting tomorrow.

He urged the Members of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh to mount pressure on the Centre to announce a special package for the farmers here. "The incessant and excess rains in the last four months have damaged crops in the state. The farmers here need a special package to raise fresh crops,'' he said.

The chief minister said he had already written to the Prime Minister to treat the Rs 400-crore immediate relief sanctioned earlier as grant over and above the calamity relief fund limit.

He also urged the Centre to consider enhancing the relief to farmers affected by natural calamities.