Farmers demand release of deposits stuck at CDCC Bank

Chandrapur: High drama was witnessed at Chandrapur District Central Cooperative (CDCC) Bank on Wednesday after a dozen farmers led by Shiv Sena district president Sandeep Girhe barged in demanding back their deposits stuck in the bank’s branch near Zilla Parishad.
Following alleged embezzlement of Rs2 crore by cashier Nikhile Ghate, over a hundred cooperative societies and farmers have not been able to withdraw deposits and money from savings accounts at the branch since last six months.
The matter had come to light in mid February when credit cooperative societies started complaining that the money deposited by them has not been credited to their accounts for last several months. Internal investigations revealed embezzlement by Ghate and a police complaint was filed.
With agriculture season at its peak, over a dozen farmers from Sidur village on Wednesday approached the branch seeking release their deposits and savings. However, the bank officials allegedly refused to give them money and gave evasive answers.
The farmers met Girhe who took the bank’s president Santosh Rawat to task over the issue and demanded immediate release of farmers’ money.
Sources said Rawat has assured to refund all the money stuck with the bank within a month. Girhe warned of intense agitation if the money is not refunded.