RAJASTHAN CM COUNTERS UNION MINISTER’S CHARGES ON FARM LOAN WAIVER

JAIPUR: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday countered the charges levelled by Union minister Smriti Irani during her visit to Jaipur on Sunday against the state government on the farm loan waiver in Rajasthan.

“Smriti Irani falsely alleged in the press conference (in Jaipur) that Rahul Gandhi promised loan waiver in 10 days but that promise was not fulfilled. Irani did not do full homework on the facts, so she has given such a factually incorrect statement. On December 17. 2018, two days after taking oath as chief minister on December 19, I held a press conference and announced the debt waiver for farmers,” Gehlot said.

He said Rajasthan government waived of all outstanding crop loans of 20.56 lakh farmers taken from the cooperative and land development banks till November 30, 2018.

Reacting over Gehlot’s statement, state BJP chief Satish Poonia said that farmers were lured by the announcement of Congress that they will make complete loan waiver, but now they are just finding ways to save themselves.

“The government should have made specific announcements that they will only waive co-operative bank loans,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Cabinet meeting was held at the CM’s residence, in which strategy related to the Budget session was formed

. “Many major decisions, including the new Ayush policy of the state and formation of forest corporation, were approved by the Cabinet,” said a minister, who didn’t want to be named.