Taking a serious view of the allegation that the nationalised banks in the State are not providing loans to physically-disabled people, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
has directed the Union Ministry of Finance for probe and an action-taken report (ATR).
The commission acting on a petition filed by Angul-based Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain asked the Union Finance Secretary to submit reportwithin eight weeks.
“No banks, including the State Bank of India in Odisha are not providing loans to the physically handicapped persons under Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme. It violates human rights of the disabled persons,” the petitioner contended.
She prayed the commission for stern criminal/disciplinary action against the concerned banks and registration of FIR against them and steps for easy disbursal of loans to the disabled persons.