Top News
Rajasthan announces farm loan waiver up to Rs 2 lakh
Jaipur, Dec 19 (IANS) Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday announced a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh to farmers of the state, fulfilling the promise made by the Congress in its election manifesto.
The short-term loan of up to Rs 2 lakh from cooperative banks will be waived by the state government, said Gehlot.
Overall, there will be a burden of Rs 18,000 crore on the state exchequer, he said.
After taking over as Chief Minister two days ago, Gehlot had asked senior officials to issue orders on the loan waiver. The same day he had called a meeting with finance department officials and others where Chief Secretary D.B. Gupta was also present.
“During the election campaign, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had promised a loan waiver to farmers within 10 days of forming the government. To fulfil this commitment, we have announced the farm loan waiver,” he said.
“The previous government did not help the farmers and waived loans up to Rs 50,000 only, because these entailed a burden of Rs 8,000 crore. However, we have decided to waive loans worth Rs 2 lakh in the cooperative banks,” said Gehlot.
In the nationalised, commercial and other banks, where farmers are unable to pay their loans, a waiver on Rs 2 lakh loan will be given,” he said.
“Rajasthan farmers never committed suicide. It was in last few years that we heard about them being forced to end their lives, which is quite sad. Hence we have decide to waive loans of such farmers who, because of any circumstances, are unable to pay their due loans. All their loans till Nov 30, 2018, will be waived,” he said.
The initiative comes close on the heels of similar announcements made in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where Congress formed the government after registering a win in the recent assembly elections.
–IANS
arc/prs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.