Eight

lliinialumiu (Time-*

October 10, 1052

AGRICULTURAL FINANCE

(Continued from page tf)

again and has been meeting the require-
ment of quite a large part of the rural
area. In order to meet a substantial
demand the Provincial Rank has borrowed
from the Reserve Rank of India Rs. 60
lakhs in 1051-52 with the help of the
Government and the Kalimpong Sub-
Division has got Rs 1,71,fOO/- — Rs.
1,24,500/- for the Kalimpong Central Bank
and Rs. 47,400.'- for the Pedong Central
Bank. The rate of interest payable by
the members of the village societies is
7 % per annum. This has proved a
- boon to the cultivators who have been
saved from the usurious interest charged
and the obnoxious ‘dadhani’.

The agricultural method is very
primitive and there is much room for
improvement. This requires net only
research for better method of cultivation,
better implements and-seeds but adequate
finance to meet the cost of these things.
Cattle husbandry is an important part

of agriculture and will havo to be en-
couraged A start has been made by
Government by sanctioning a cattle pur-
chase loan of Rs. 9,600/- to some 48
members of the co-operative societies of
the Pedong area. This will enable star-
ting of dairy farming also which will
augment the income of the people.

Steps will also have to be taken
to settle the inherited debts of these
villagers. The Bengal Agricultural Deb-
tors’ Act enabled this to be done in the
districts of Bengal excepting Darjeeling
and this will have to be done in this
district also.

The co-operatives are not only aiming
to meet the credit requirements of their
members but also to be their bankers.
Efforts will have to be made to encou-
rage savings so that these cultivatois
can have reserves to fall bark upon
during lean years. This is a difficult
task but a task worhy of effort for only
this way lies the salvation for theso
people, the backbone of the Nation.

Good opportunity for

TIBET, BHUTAN, SIKKIM

IN

PURCHASING EVERY KIND OF LOCKS, KNIVES, SCISSORS,
E.P.N.S., BUILDERS HARDWARES, WHESTLES, CHAINS, FURNI-
TURE LOCKS, GEOMETRICAL INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICAL GOODS
MANUFACTURED IN A BIG CONCERN OF ALIGARH. SPECIAL CON-
CESSION FOR WHOLESALERS. LOCAL DISTRIBUTORS WANTED.

SUPPLIES FROM SILIGURI

WILLIAM COX & Co.

H. 0. ALIGARH

Branch : Hill Cart Road, SILIGURI.