HYDERABAD, July 3: A senior member of the Board of Revenue, Sindh, has recommended to the ADBP to extend the last date for payment of bank loans from June 30 to December 31 as by that time cash crops like cotton, rice, vegetables, and sugarcane will become available for sale in the open market.

The decision regarding it was taken at a meeting of the growers and officials of the ADBP and revenue department held here the other day.

The meeting observed that the extension in date would enable the maximum number of growers to avail of the facilities in view of the relief package announced by President Pervez Musharraf for small growers.

The meeting observed that at present no crop was available for sale in the market and more than 80 per cent of borrowers who had taken loans of Rs25,000 to Rs100,000 were not in a position to pay up the principal amount by June 30, and, therefore, it would negate the spirit of relief announced by the president.

The meeting further observed that the Sindh Government had also postponed the recovery of the past year’s arrears of provincial dues for one year, and, therefore, the ADBP may also extend this facility in respect of its arrears.