Bengaluru:  Making the first move on crop loan waiver, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy held a meeting with representatives of various farmer organisations and progressive farmers from each district of the State at Vidhana Soudha here this morning.

Addressing the meeting, Kumaraswamy said that his government will give top priority to address farmer issues, which chiefly include crop loan waiver and prevention of farmers’ suicide.

Underlining the commitment of his government   for protecting the interest of farming community, the CM said he has convened the meeting to receive suggestions, inputs and opinions from farmer leaders of each district so as to finalise the modalities on farm loan waiver.

Reiterating that he was committed to farm loan waiver, he said the modalities and guidelines prepared by his government   will be placed before farmer leaders for consideration before going ahead with the announcement.

Re-assuring the farming community that the government   will do everything for their welfare, Kumaraswamy also declared that the Government’s flagship Yeshasvini Health Scheme will continue even after May 31, the date on which the agreement reached between the government   and the stakeholders was to end. Deputy CM Dr. G. Parameshwara, senior BJP MLA Govind Karjol, Chief Secretary K. Ratna Prabha and other top officials attended the meeting.

Today’s meeting assumes much significance as Kumaraswamy had said that the guidelines for crop loan waiver scheme will be announced on Wednesday (today).

It may be mentioned, the opposition BJP had called for a ‘Voluntary State-wide Bandh’ on Monday (May 28) to demand CM Kumaraswamy to keep his promise of announcing farm loan waiver within 24 hours of assuming power.