Yavatmal: Chairman of Shri Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission Kishore Tiwari has alleged that State Bank of India (SBI) officials in Patten Bori and Pandharkawda of Yavatmal district have refused to accept cheques issued by tehsildar of Zari tehsil as government compensation for farmers hit by red bollworm attack.
Tiwari said the SBI officials have thus deprived thousands of Adivasi farmers of Zari Tehsil of government aid from June 13. “I held review meetings in Yavatmal and Kelapur tehsils on July 11 and 12 to know the status of compensation and fresh crop loan disbursement. Tehsildar of Zari PB Shirekar complained that SBI Patten Bori branch manager Pradeep Fating refused to accept cheques issued by him on June 13 despite repeated requests,” said Tiwari.
“The manager even challenged the farmers to complaint against him to the Chief Minister and Prime Minister,” Tiwari said and added that adivasi farmers of Pimpri (Bori), Gawara Peewardol and Takli villages have been forced to halt farming. “These power drunk bank officials should immediately be suspended,” he demanded.
He further said bankers are denying fresh crop loan to needy farmers. “Banks are showing fake loan dues against farmers to deprive them of government aid,” he said.
“Bankers are harassing farmers of 14 districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Needy farmers are left with no choice but to approach unscrupulous money lenders. There would be a spate of farmers’ suicides if the government doesn’t act against such bank officials,” he said.
