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Reduce interest on crop loans, Odisha urges Centre

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Bhubaneswar, Nov 13 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday urged the Centre to reduce interest rates on agricultural loans and extend interest incentive on crop loans for the benefit of farmers affected by droughts and pests.

In a letter, the Chief Minister sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the interest rate on medium-term (conversion) loans at par with crop loans and also extend the interest incentive of three per cent admissible on crop loans to medium-term (conversion) loans.

“In my opinion, when crop loans are converted into medium-term loans, the interest rate should remain at par with the crop loans. Similarly, the incentive made available to farmers for prompt repayment of crop loans should also be extended to medium-term (conversion) loans to provide relief to peasants affected by drought and pest attacks,” said Patnaik.

He said that during the current kharif season, paddy cultivation in some parts of Odisha was affected due to drought and pest attacks, adding that his government had taken proactive measures to provide relief to the affected farmers.

“As a part of the package, it has been decided to convert crop loans advanced during 2017 kharif season in affected areas as medium-term (conversion) loans,” said the Chief Minister.

In case of crop damage between 33 and 50 per cent, crop loans can be converted into medium-term (conversion) loans repayable over two years with a moratorium of one year. Similarly, where the crop damage is 50 per cent and more, conversion of crop loans can be allowed for a maximum five years with a one-year moratorium, he said.

The Union government provides interest incentive at three per cent to farmers making prompt repayment of crop loans, which is not made available in case of conversion of such crop loans in the event of natural calamities.

“As a result, the interest rate on the converted loans remains high, which is at present 11.20 per cent. Similarly, interest on crop loans is not subsidised as interest subvention for the same is not available,” said the Chief Minister.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

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