Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss welcomed the state govt’s order to temporarily suspend compulsory recovery of crop loans that farmers took from cooperative banks across Tamil Nadu.But govt’s decision to deny fresh loans to farmers who are unable to repay the outstanding amount cannot be accepted, said Anbumani in a statement on Wednesday. He said TVK, which promised in its poll manifesto to waive crop loans fully, failed to do so. Had it fulfilled its promise, farmers would not have had outstanding crop loans, and would not have been denied fresh loans, he said.Anbumani urged govt to completely waive all outstanding crop loans taken by farmers from cooperative banks. He urged govt to direct cooperative banks to provide farmers with the loans required for samba crop cultivation without imposing any conditions.In another release, Anbumani demanded that the perpetrators of sexual abuse of minor girls brought to justice with stringent punishment. He said the scope of the investigation must be expanded. “The reports emerging every day regarding the sexual abuse of minor girls from poor families in Chennai by industrialist Gem Veeramani are shocking. It is condemnable that attempts were made in the past to help the accused in this case escape despite evidence reportedly being available regarding the abuse of the girls,” he said.Anbumani said that several people connected with the abuse are now being arrested one after another only after the Chennai Pocso special court refused to accept the petition of the police to drop the case claiming that there was insufficient evidence. “The judge refused to accept the request. As a result of this, several people connected with the abuse are now being arrested one after another. The concern and firmness demonstrated by the Chennai Pocso xourt in ensuring justice for the affected children are commendable,” he said.
