Farm loan waiver on cards? CM says call after drought review

Kalaburagi: Chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said the govt would take an appropriate decision on waiving farmers’ loans only after conducting a comprehensive review of the drought-like conditions prevailing in several parts of the state.Speaking to media persons in Kalaburagi, he said the govt was taking the rainfall deficit and emerging drought situation seriously and had discussed the issue in detail with officials.He added that a similar review would be conducted in Belagavi over the next two to three days to assess the situation there.Responding to a question on a possible farm loan waiver, the chief minister said, “The govt will take an appropriate decision only after examining all aspects, including the type of loans, beneficiaries, nature of the borrowings and the loan amounts involved.”He assured farmers that the govt would take all necessary measures to safeguard their interests in view of the drought situation and provide suitable relief based on the findings of the review.