Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Friday blamed the consortium of banks for the delay in ensuring timely payments to farmers for the paddy procured from them.
Talking to reporters here after launching the mascot, logo and TV ads of the Kerala Lotteries department, Mr. Balagopal said the banks kept the government and farmers on tenterhooks. The government would examine the matter and hold discussions with the banks on it.
The delay concerned a payment of ₹400 crore for the paddy procured after May 15. On Thursday, Food and Civil Supplies Minister G. R. Anil had reached an agreement with the consortium consisting of Canara Bank, State Bank of India and Federal Bank for releasing the amount.
