ORDER:

While moving the Agricultural Demand on 5.4.99, the Honourable Minister for Agriculture announced on the floor of the Legislative Assembly that 100 tractors, with matching implements, would be purchased for use by the farmers. Based on the above announcement, the Chief Engineer (AE) had sent a proposal to Government for the purchase of 100 tractors with matching implements at a total cost of Rs.300/- lakhs.

2. The Government have examined the proposal in detail and after careful consideration accept the proposal of the Chief Engineer (AE). Accordingly, the Government permit the Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Agro Engineering and Service Co-operative Federation Limited to avail a loan of Rs.300/- lakhs (Rupees Three Hundred lakhs only) from a Nationalised Bank at Prime Lending Rate of interest for the purchase of 100 tractors along with matching implements. Those implements should be given to Agricultural Engineering Department on a lease-cum-sale basis.

3. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Agro Engineering and Service Co-operative Federation Limited is requested to execute the deed of Guarantee in the format prescribed by the Nationalised Bank on behalf of the Government. He is also authorised to pay a guarantee commission to the Government at ½ % (half percent) of the guaranteed amount outstanding annually. The Chief Engineer (AE) is requested to reimburse the expenditure on account of Guarantee Commission to Tamil Nadu Agro Engineering and Service Co-operative Federation Limited (AGROFED) out of the cash flow of the project.

4. The Chief Engineer (AE) is directed to repay the loan in seven annual instalments, through Tamil Nadu Agro Engineering and Service Co-operative Federation Limited from the revenue earned by hiring these implements.

5. The Chief Engineer (AE) is also directed to surrender 148 posts of tractor drivers and cleaners which are vacant. The need for continuance of 494 posts of tractor drivers and cleaners, which have been filled up, may be reviewed in the light of the number of tractors and bulldozers to be operated.

6. The cash flow statement as in the annexure is approved by the Government.

7. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Department vide its U.O.No.185/JS (SF)2000 dated 10.7.2000.

(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

N.ATHIMOOLAM,

SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT.

To

The Chief Engineer (AE), 328, Anna Salai, Chennai-35.

The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Agro Engineering & Service Co-operative

Federation Limited, T.Nagar, Chennai-17.

The Nationalised Bank,

The Accountant General, Chennai-18.

The Accountant General, Chennai-18 (by name)

The Accountant General, Chennai-6.

The Accountant General, Chennai-35.

The Pay and Accounts Officer, Chennai-35.

Copy to:

The Finance (AGRI) Department, Chennai-9.

The Private Secretary to Chief Minister, Chennai-9.

The Personal Assistant to Minister for Agriculture, Chennai-9.

The Private Secretary to Secretary, Agriculture, Chennai-9.

SF/SC.

/Forwarded/By order/

Section Officer.