Allegedly duped in the name of Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) women of 17 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Murhu block are now forced to repay loans of Rs 2.5 lakh each, the lion's share of which never reached them to begin with.
As many as 22 women from the wronged SHGs from Hansa panchayat in Khunti, met labour Minister Raj Paliwar and Water Resources Minister Chandra Prakash Choudhary during the weekly Mukhya Mantri Janata Darbar on Wednesday to seek their help.
"Back in 2008, loans of Rs 2.5 lakh to set up goateries were approved under SGSY for 17 SHGs from our village Meral. Members of all the SHGs were brought to Ranchi where we were handed a part of the sanctioned amount by the supplier. We were assured that the remaining amount will be transferred to our bank accounts. This did not happen," lamented Mahamani Tiru of Misee Senra Samiti, one of the cheated SHGs.
The supplier, whose identity the women could not provide, gave goats to some of the SHGs, whereas those unsatisfied with the breeds on offer asked for cash instead, she said.
Misee Senra Samiti opted for the latter option, but could not evade misfortune.
"We brought 66 goats from Rampur but they all died within three months. Now, we neither have money to pay the loan back nor the goats to sell and arrange for the money," Mahamani said.
Although, the SHGs were given between Rs 70,000 and Rs 85,000 only, the banks have furnished them property attachment notices to recover Rs 2.5 lakh, lamented the women.
The panic and tension over the loans even claimed two lives this year, as one woman committed suicide and another suffered a cardiac arrest, said the women.
"Chandu Nag, a member of our SHG, immolated herself in January this year after receiving the bank's notice. Krishna Devi died of a heart attack in December last year, caused by the extreme stress and worry that she was going through over the same issue," said Snehlata Bhengra, another member of the Samiti.
The women have been running from pillar to post since receiving the notices, trying to find some respite in this ordeal, but in vain.
"Our bank (State Bank of India, Bichna) has made it clear that the loan will have to be paid. We are hard-pressed to make ends meet as it is; paying Rs 2.5 lakh to the bank is impossible. We have met Khunti Deputy Commissioner countless times over this matter and this is our fifth visit to Janta Darbar, but our predicament remains unchanged," stated Mahamani.
Taking note of their plight, the labour Minister ordered Khunti DC to look into the matter and submit his report within a week.
The public court also saw a complaint from the residents of Friends Colony in Pandra who complained about a gunpowder factory, Subodh Prasad Chemicals, operating close to their locality for the past seven years and polluting the adjoining water sources.
"There are 100 houses which are affected by the deadly pollutants emitted by the factory. The chemical waste generated in the unit is dumped in the open which then pollutes the ground water of the locality," said Vivek Raj, a resident of Friends Colony.
Choudhary referred the matter to Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, asking them to thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate action against the guilty.