Pics: Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 7: The Karnataka government has decided to waive loans of 23,000 fisherwomen, announced minister of Muzrai, Inland and Harbour Kota Srinivas Poojary.
Speaking to media persons at DC office in Manipal, here on Thursday, November 7, Poojary said that loan waiver for fisherwomen was a promise made by chief minister B S Yediyurappa. “I welcome the government’s decision. Fisherwomen who are having loans of up to Rs 50,000 in nationalized banks are eligible. The waiver will benefit fisherwomen from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts,” said Poojary.
“The government ordered in July 2019 that Rs 62 crore will be sanctioned for loan waiver. A note said that fisher folk, especially women were eligible for a loan waiver of up to Rs 50,000.”
“When the debt waiver was in discussion, the banks started sending notices to fisherwomen asking them to repay their loans. Now a clear instruction has been given to lead banks and all other banks that they should not to pressurize fisherwomen to repay their loans. They have also agreed to it. The loan amount will directly be credited to the account of eligible fisherwomen.”
“The proposal is pending in economic department for approval since three months. Once it gets clearance, the amount will be sanctioned. As many as 90% of the women are belonging to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha, Fish Marketing Federation president Yashpal Suvarna, officials of fishing department were present for the fisheries meet. The total beneficiaries in 2017-18 were 14,442 and 5,551 applications were received in 2017-18 from three districts.