Banks are denying farm loans to farmers here despite specific instruction from the State authorities that they should be provided such loans at low interest rates.
The State Government has instructed 19 banks operating in Bastar district to ensure that the farmers get the loans without any difficulties but some banks were not following it, farmers alleged.
According to the information obtained from lead bank, there are at least seven banks which appear to be not taking care of the farmers interest the way they were supposed to take. Such banks include Indian Overseas Bank, United Commercial Bank, Dena bank, ICICI bank, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, and HDFC bank.
The performance of nationalised banks in this regards are also dismal. It is evident from the fact that the nationalised Canara bank has provided loan to only three farmers.
Many farmers have produced their Kisan credit cards but were disappointed that the banks were not coming forward to help them. Some farmers alleged that they were forced to obtain loan from the nationalised banks after the private banks refused to help them.
Sources said the number of Kishan credit card holders in seven blocks of the district stands at one lakh 42 thousand 548 and only a little over one lakh managed to get the loan in 2013. The district cooperative bank has provided highest loans to 89242 farmers.
lead bank manager Mohan Dhoke said his bank has been authorised to gather information from all banks to find out the number of people who obtained loans but it has no right to take any action against them.The detail of the loan disbursements were placed before a meeting here chaired by district collector Ankit Anand.