Rescue farmers, Chavan urges co-op banks

PUNE, APRIL 17: State Minister for Excise Vasantrao Chavan has called upon co-operative banks led by the apex NABARD, to reinforce lending efforts to rescue the “increasing numbers of rural farmers from the vice of the money-lender.”

Speaking at a State-level garibi hatao conference organised by NABARD and Rotary district 3130, Chavan stressed that the “common man” should be the focal point of the agricultural and industrial loans disbursed by banks, adding that farmers are still compelled to seek out the local money-lender even to finance their presence at the weekly bazaar.

He emphasised the role of banks in encouraging viable production of inexpensive, indigenous goods in the population below the poverty level and lifting their standards of living.