State Banks to give loan relief to flood victims: Minister

The Government would provide a relief on State Bank loans that had been obtained by Government employees, who were affected by the floods, Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena said yesterday.

He said most of the flood-affected people were ordinary people, such as those who earn their living on a daily basis.

“Other than them there are State and private sector employees,” he said.

All their lifetime earnings were destroyed except what they were wearing at the time of the disaster,” he said. “Most of the flood victims cannot even think of starting their lives again. The Government will take best efforts to bring them back to normal again. People have taken loans for their cultivations, to buy a motorcycle or for housing. Now, they are unable to pay the loan installments,” he said.

“Therefore the Ministry discussed the issue with the President and the Prime Minister and decided to offer relief on their loans,” he said.

Though the State banks exchanged Qatar Riyals yesterday, the Duty Manager said they would do so only for two days, yesterday and today. A maximum equivalent to USD 1000 would be exchanged. He said Qatar Riyals would be exchanged for an amount that is a little less to yesterday’s exchange rate.

Meanwhile, issuing a media report the Central Bank yesterday denied the reports made by various media institutions stating that the Central Bank had informed banks not to accept Qatar Riyals.