Enforcement cells to keep eye on pvt money lenders, govt

Karnataka government would set up enforcement cells to keep a check on private money lenders in the backdrop of rising incidents of farmers suicides, Minister for Cooperation H S Mahadev Prasad said today.
Replying to discussion on demands for grants to the cooperation department in the Legislative Council, he said the enforcement cells would be formed at the district level with the help of Police and Revenue departments.
He said government would also soon set up an expert committee to look into the reasons behind increasing number of farmer suicides. Based on the report, government will take steps.
Intervening, Opposition BJP Leader Jagadish Shettar pointed out that farmer suicides were due to debt and questioned the steps taken by the government about it.

Responding to it, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said as most of the suicide cases were because of exorbitant loans and government is working on bringing an amendment to regulation to protect farmers.
Prasad said he would call a meeting of MLAs with expertise on the Cooperative sector to discuss reforms that need to brought about.
On works being done in cooperative milk sector, Prasad said steps are being taken to store collect and market milk and its by-products.
"Steps are being taken to produce milk powder and its other by-products in the state itself, Karnataka Milk Federation has given a proposal for this," he added.