Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has today unanimously approved the draft ordinance to control the atrocities of Micro Finance Institutions in the state. Taking serious note of the reported suicides due to the harassments by these institutions in the past few days, the state cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister K Rosaiah has approved the draft Ordinance.Later briefing the media, Rural Development Minister Vatti Vasanatha Kumar has said the Government was determined to regulate the MFIs’ activities and the draft has been sent for Governor’s accent which is expected in a day or two.Stating that the Chief Minister has urged the Centre to fix up the upper limit of the interest rates by these institutions , the minister also said the district collectors and SPs have been directed to take measures for debt-swapping.Besides stepping up bank credit flows, the Minister said the Government is proposing to take stringent measures to contain atrocities of Micro Finance Institutions. According to official sources, the Government has proposed to make intimidation by them for repayments a punishable offence. Compulsory registration of the institutions with the district authorities and compulsory prior approval to give credit to SHG members were also under consideration of the Government, he said.