Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara on Sunday urged the Centre to come out with a national policy on crop loan waiver.

At a press conference in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said when the NDA government can take a decision such as banning the use of red beacons atop cars across the country, it needs to take a stand on coming to the rescue of farmers in distress.

He was responding to queries from reporters on the state Congress’ position on waiver of crop loans borrowed by farmers. “We have said that if the Centre waives loans procured by farmers from nationalised banks, then the state will immediately waive loans obtained from cooperative institutions,” Parameshwara said.

When it was pointed out that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had stated that it is for state governments to waive farm loans, Parameshwara said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come out with a policy and make the Centre’s stand clear on the issue.

He said the Centre had saved Rs 2.5 lakh crore during the last fiscal due to drop in crude oil prices and the same could be channelised to waive loans. 

Rahul Gandhi’s visit

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s will address an extended general body meeting of the KPCC during his visit to Bengaluru on Monday.