Agricultural loans to farmers in UP to be waived: CM

Within three months of the Samajwadi Party coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday gave an assurance in the Legislative Council that agricultural loans to farmers in the state would be waived.

Winding up the discussion on the Appropriation Bill, which was later returned by the House, Yadav said his government has taken a number of decisions within three months of the SP coming to power.

The bill, which has already been passed by the state assembly, was returned by the Upper House amidst a walkout by the Bahujan Samaj Party. The Council was then adjourned sine die.

The chief minister said the government has launched a number of schemes like unemployment allowance, kanya vidyadhan and given financial assistance to Muslim girls.

He said though the power department has suffered losses, the government would try to sort out the problem of electricity shortage.

Yadav said a policy was being drafted to ensure all-round development of the state.

Leader of the Opposition Naseemuddin Siddiqui sought clarifications from the chief minister and walked out expressing dissatisfaction over his reply. The bill was later returned by voice vote.