Debt-waiver function postponed

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 20 

In view of the forecast for rain, the state-level farm debt-waiver function would now be held on January 23. Earlier, the function was scheduled for January 22. 

The preparations for the second round of farmer debt-waiver scheme are in full swing at Mehraj village.

In a press statement issued by Deputy Commissioner Praneet, it was stated that the state-level farmer debt-waiver function would now held on January 23. 

He said the preparations and progress of the work were being monitored on a daily basis. 

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will launch the second round of the scheme wherein Rs 71.34 crore debt of 11,328 farmers of the district would be waived. 

He said 10,250 small farmers had taken loans from Cooperative Bank whose Rs 57.98 crore would be waived. Similarly, a loan amount of Rs 13.36 crore of 1,078 farmers of commercial banks too would be waived. 

Apart from Bathinda, debt of farmers from Mansa would also be waived, he said. 

He added that 20,000 to 25,000 farmers were expected to attend the function for which all adequate measures had already been taken by the administration. 

Extending an open invitation to all, the Deputy Commissioner pointed out that no separate cards would be sent by the district administration. 

He said security, parking, drinking water for the public, temporary toilets, first-aid and high-tea were the things on which district administration was primarily focusing on. 

The Deputy Commissioner added that officials were also told to give special attention towards setting up of stage, seating arrangement for the public and security of the VIPs. 

He passed orders for the cleanliness and repairs of major connecting roads of Mehraj village.

IG MF Farooqui, SSP Dr Nanak Singh, ADC (G) Sukhpreet Sidhu, Bathinda SDM Amarinder Singh Tiwana, Assistant Commissioner (General) Babandeep Walia and DFSC Amandeep Singh were among other officials who visited the venue.