Rs 50cr loan waiver for Kerala farmers

On the eve of its second anniversary, Kerala's Left government on Wednesday announced a loan waiver of Rs 25,000 for distressed farmers. The move is expected to benefit about 41,000 farmers in the northern Wayanad district, which has witnessed the largest number of farmer suicides in the state. Speaking to reporters here after the cabinet meet, chief minister V S Achuthanandan said Rs 50 crore would be set apart for this. He also announced the government's decision to provide free textbooks for children till Class VIII.