The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal for an additional release of Rs 530.06 crore towards waiver of overdue interest of farmers in 31 districts in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

This is the additional share of the Centre as 50 per cent of the overall financial implication of Rs 3,778.37 crore in this relief package, that is the difference between the expected final share of Rs 1,889.19 crore and the original estimated amount of Rs 1,359.13 crore, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.
This decision will give benefit to the borrowers whose loans were overdue as on July 1, 2006 in the 31 “debt-stressed” districts, he said.

In another decision, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for the Central sector scheme of providing one lakh jobs per annum to the persons with disabilities, with a proposed outlay of Rs 1,800 crore during the eleventh Plan Period.