VS: End move to close down NABARD offices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan has demanded an end to moves to close down four district offices of NABARD in the state. In a statement, he pointed out that the bank’s district offices at Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Kollam were among those which have been listed for closure, citing that their role is not needed going by the development boom in these districts.Across the country, 15 offices have been listed for closure and there was no justification in listing four out of them in a small state like Kerala. The closure of the district offices of NABARD will affect the agricultural sector adversely. The district offices were opened for coordinating development activities in rural and agricultural sectors in respective districts.The current moves will go against the interests of farmers, VS warned.