TOBA TEK SINGH, Nov 14: The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has not been issuing loans for purchasing tractors and developing dairy and livestock farms for the last two months.

This was complained by a large number of farmers who have been visiting various bank branches for the purpose.

An ADBP source said on Wednesday farm loans for the purchase of seeds and fertilizer were being issued under one-window operation. Loans for other schemes have been stopped on the instructions of the federal government.

He said the ADBP had issued Rs150 million farm loans under one-window scheme from July to September 2001. It had recovered Rs120 million so far. Unless the remaining outstanding amount was recovered, no fresh loans would be issued.

He said the federal government has directed to speed up recovery of the remaining amount. From this recovered sum, 10 per cent should be sent to the head office and the remaining amount should be disbursed as loans for the purchase of seeds and fertilizer, he added.

However, he said, it was expected that the bank would achieve the recovery target within a fortnight and then loans would be issued for the purchase of tractors and setting up of farms.

SUICIDE: A married woman reportedly committed suicide in Kot Amanullah locality of Gojra on Wednesday.