The government is keen to introduce an alternative loan system for the needy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has said while reiterating that the crackdown on illegal moneylenders will continue.
He said on Monday that directives had been issued not to make police stations a place of conciliation. Replying to a question in the Assembly, he said action would be taken against loan sharks irrespective of their political affiliations.
Discussions were on with Finance Minister K.M. Mani to amend the moneylender’s Act.
New generation banks using anti-social elements to recover loans had come to notice, he said.
As many as 90 illegal money lending firms had been traced in the raids after Operation Kubera was launched in the State.
LPG tankersTransport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the Petrol and Explosives Safety Organisation had informed the government that tankers ferrying LPG and propane would be fitted with internal excess flow check valve by December.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said 1,36,856 petitions received during his second mass contact programme had to be settled. Financial assistance was yet to be given to 39,891 applicants.
In reply to a question, the Transport Minister said the KSRTC had to remit Rs.3.43 crore, money deducted from employees towards life insurance for three months, to the Life Insurance Corporation of India. In addition, the KSRTC had to remit Rs.10.65 crore collected from the employees during seven months to the transport employees’ societies, Kerala State Financial Enterprises, and the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation.
1,912 accidentsMinister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju said 1,912 accidents had taken place on PWD roads after the beginning of the monsoon.
In reply to a question, Minister for Urban Affairs Manjalamkuzhi Ali said as many as 27,859 people had taken treatment after being bitten by stray dogs.
