Cabinet to discuss debt relief package for farmers

Govt is likely to consider a debt relief package for farmers for states excluding Maharashtra.

The Government is likely to consider a debt relief package for farmers for states excluding Maharashtra that reported cases of suicides.

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The matter is likely to come up for consideration at the Cabinet meeting scheduled on Thursday, sources said.

The debt package is expected to cover states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, they added.

Maharashtra would be excluded from this expected package as a Rs 3,750 crore relief package has already been announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh early this month, after visiting the drought affected Vidharbha region.

Sources said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, also scheduled for Thursday, would spell out the wheat import specifications.

The CCEA is also expected to announce pricing policy for Kharif crops.

The issue of allowing sugar exports to mills having export order against their raw sugar import in previous season is also likely to figure at the CCEA.

The Cabinet may also take up a matter related to Bharat Coal Ltd.