Chikhli farmers denied fresh crop loans as banks fail to close accounts despite loan waiver credit

Farmers in Chikhli taluka of Buldhana district are running from pillar to post for fresh crop loans. The government has credited the loan waiver amount to their accounts, but because of delay and an obstinate attitude on the part of the banks, the farmers' old loan accounts have still not been closed. As a result, even eligible farmers are unable to take a fresh crop loan.

The Shetkari Sanghatana has reacted angrily. It has said clearly that if the problem of farmers of Shelgaon Jahagir, Chandanpur and Bhorsa-Bhorsi in Chikhli taluka is not resolved in the next two days, a strong agitation will be held at the bank. The stern warning was issued by farmer leader Vinayak Sarnaik and the Shetkari Sanghatana.

Sarnaik expressed sharp displeasure over the working of the government and the bank administration. He asked why the banks are stalling when the primary responsibility for paying the balance amount as per the haircut lies with them, and an agreement between the government and the banks has also been signed. He demanded that if the administration does not immediately rein in this high-handedness, the financial loss and expenses suffered by the farmers should be recovered from the officials responsible.

Shetkari Sanghatana district president Devidas Kankhar, sarpanch Arun Sarnaik, deputy sarpanch Shivshankar Theng, Shravan Badge, Gajanan Teng, Punjabrao Atole, Samadhan Pandagale, Parmeshwar Salve, Auchitrao Chavan, Anil Parihar, Rajesh Ambhore, Sanjay Pandagale and Ajabrao Badge, along with a large number of farmers of the area, were present.

The farmers of Shelgaon Jahagir have their accounts at the Chikhli branch of the Central Bank of India. The farmers of Chandanpur and Bhorsa-Bhorsi have their accounts at the Eklara branch of Indian Overseas Bank. The government had credited the loan waiver amount for these farmers in August last year.

Under the rules, the banks were to send the list required for closing the loan accounts to senior officials. They were also to deposit the balance of interest and difference as per the haircut themselves. But even after a month and a half to two months, the banks have not completed the process.

The farmers are bearing the brunt of this technical delay. On paper, their loan accounts still appear active. The kharif season has slipped by, and they are now not getting a fresh crop loan for the rabi season either, leaving them thoroughly distressed and dejected.