Odisha CM terms Rout’s remark on agri loan ‘incorrect’

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday termed Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout’s remark on farmers using agricultural loans for consuming alcohol ‘incorrect’.

“I don’t think it is correct,” the Chief Minister told reporters here.

Meanwhile, minister Damodar Rout on Thursday took a U-turn on his previous remarks and clarified that he had not told that farmers buying liquor with agriculture loan.

“I have not said that the farmers are utilising the loan for consuming alcohol. Rather they are deprived of availing loan which I have been demanding since long. But, the landlords are indulging in amusement with loan money by consuming liquor and marrying off their daughters”, Rout said.

He said that he has been demanding for loans to the sharecroppers.