Sops For Drought-Hit Farmers Likely

The government might consider writing off bank dues of small farmers in drought-hit areas, finance minister Jaswant Singh said.

Singh today told the consultative committee in the finance ministry he would consider writing off bank dues of farmers in areas which have faced natural calamities for the past three to four years.

Singh further said, in case of drought-hit areas, the government would not insist on people contributing 10 per cent towards the rural infrastructure development plans.

The minister said, while the government had not yet estimated the impact of the drought,