In a statement here, the senior Minister, referring to Ms Jayalalithaa calling for a demonstration to protest against non-payment of farm loans, said the farmers in Nagapttinam, were given loans to the tune of Rs 43 crore and they would give a be fitting reply to her.

Mr Mani said the farmers in the district were given crop loans of Rs 23 crore during 2001-02, Rs 17 crore in 2002-03, Rs three crore in 2003-04, Rs 27 crore in 2004-05 and Rs 22 crore in 2005-06. In 2006-07 alone, crop loan, amounting to Rs 43 crore were given to the farmers, he added.

The Minister said during 2006-07, 6,31,283 farmers in the state were given loans amounting to Rs 1250.62 crore and the Government proposed to given Rs 1360 crore during 2007-08.

During the current financial year, the Government has given, as its first quarter share of Rs 246 crore, including Rs 58.50 crore towards interest to all central cooperative banks for the purpose of issuing loans to the farmers.

For the second quarter, the Government has given Rs 183.50 crore and so far in the current year, 1,20,791 farmers were given loans to the tune of Rs 255.06 crore, Mr Mani added.