The Andhra Pradesh state election commission (SEC) directed DGP to restrict panchayat raj and rural development minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy to his house till the completion of local body elections on February 21. The directive comes after Ramachandra Reddy allegedly asked poll officials not to follow the directions of the state election commission. He also allegedly warned that poll officials who follow the directions of the SEC will face a tough time after the elections are over. The SEC said that after carefully looking at various alternatives and avenues of remedial action and by invoking its plenary powers under Article 243K of the Constitution, it has directs the DGP to confine the minister to his residential premises. Ramachandra Reddy condemned the SEC’s action against him.
TN waives £1.2 bn worth farm loans
Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami told the assembly that farm loans taken by over 16,00,000 farmers in the state will be waived. The announcement has been made by the state government ahead of the assembly election to be held this year. The total amount to be waived is £1.21 billion for farm loans taken from cooperative banks, the CM said. "It is important to help farmers revive farming," said Palaniswami, citing crop loss and hardship to farmers due to the pandemic, two successive cyclones and unseasonal rain. The waiver will be applicable immediately and funds will be kept aside from the government's wallet to fund it, Palaniswami said.
