JOIN USCo-operation Minister Lakshman Savadi told reporters on Friday that his department may extend loan repayment period by one year in areas declared ‘drought-hit’ by the government. As many as 90 taluks in the State have been declared ‘drought- affected’.
He said the co-operation department was unlikely to achieve its target of disbursing up to Rs 7,000 crore of crop loans to farmers this financial year due to severe drought situation in the State.
Cess on dry grapes
The State government has issued an order slashing agriculture produce market cess on the sale of dry grapes from 1.50 per cent to 0.10 per cent, Savadi said.
In Maharashtra, the cess was 0.10 per cent and hence, a majority of grape farmers from Karnataka were trading there, he said.
In order to woo them back, the government had issued the said order on November 5, he explained. The government is also seriously considering a proposal to cut down VAT on cotton from the present five per cent to two per cent, he added. The government will organise Annual Co-operation Week from November 14, the minister said.
Reddy to continue as KMF chief
Co-operation Minister Lakshman Savadi said BJP MLA G Somasekara Reddy will continue as the chairman of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) despite identifying himself with former minister B Sriramulu, who quit the BJP and is contesting from the Bellary Rural Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate.
“KMF is a co-operative society. The party has nothing to do with it. Moreover, he (Reddy) has been elected as the chairman by the milk co-operative societies in the State. Hence, he will continue to hold the post,” Savadi said.