Chennai, Feb 16 (IANS): The DMK Sunday urged the central government to write off the outstanding educational loans given to students.

The party, at its two-day state conference that began in Tiruchirappalli Saturday, passed a resolution to this effect and urged banks to change their "inhuman" attitude and not exert pressure on the borrowers like publishing the details of students when they fail to pay their dues.

Currently the educational loan portfolio stands at around Rs.55,000 crore in around 25 lakh accounts.

The party also passed resolutions against foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector, and price rise, and urged the central government to set up a Cauvery Management Board to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's award.

The party also urged the central government to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government and take necessary action to protect Indian fishermen from attacks from the island nation's navy.

They also demanded that the service tax on storage of rice be abolished.