Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP) 

Udupi, Sep 26: “The loans lent by national banks and regional banks under fishermen’s Sala Manna scheme 2017-18 and 2018-19 at the interest rates of 2%, 3% and zero percent will be waived and banks cannot force beneficiaries to repay them,” said minister of Muzrai, fisheries, port and inland water transport, Srinivas Poojary. 

Speaking in the meeting held in Zilla panchayat auditorium on Thursday, he said that Rs 50,000 each lent to fishermen is being waived and the fishermen have informed of pressure from banks to repay loans. He asked district lead bank officer Rudresh to inform about the developments.

Rudresh said that he too has received complaints in this connection and the concerned banks are asked not to force loan beneficiaries to repay the loan. “Besides that, if the beneficiaries have repaid loan after April 2019, the amount will be credited to their bank accounts. Only one person in the family is entitled to make use of the facility. The loan borrowed from the cooperative society is not covered in the scheme,” he said. 

The office bearers of fishermen association said that only national banks are lending loans and urged that all banks to lend loans. They requested that loans borrowed from cooperative societies also be waived and complete the process of Sala Manna soon. 

District lead bank manager said that all the banks will be directed to lend loans and to complete the process soon. He asked that those who face problems may contact him directly. 

Minister Poojary said that meetings will be held once in two months regarding the problems of fishermen. 

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi fishermen association president Yashpal Suvarna welcomed. Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon, DC G Jagadish, fisheries federation managing director Harish Kumar, fisheries department deputy director Ganesh, Parshwanath, cooperative department’s Sudheer and others were present.