Hundreds of farmers thronged the SDCC Bank through Monday night at Laikera in Jharsuguda district to withdraw their money under Bima Yojana. Interestingly, the farmers started queuing up outside the bank from 3am.
But, it was their spades, axes, shovels and other labour kits that caught everyone’s attention. The farmers placed their labour kits in the queue to mark their spots. Many of the farmers were seen sleeping on the road with pieces of clothes laid out, as they waited for their turn.
Sources said, this has been a daily plight for the farmers in the area as there is just a single counter in the bank. Hundreds of residents from Laikera, Kolabira and Kirmira block depend on the bank for daily transactions.
Furthermore, the token system has added to the woes of the farmers. While the bank distributes token to avoid crowding, farmers queue up outside the bank from early morning to get the tokens.
“We are forced to queue up outside the bank from early morning. We place our tool kits, stones and bricks on the ground instead of standing in long queues due to the extreme heat. Once our token is called, we will enter the bank with necessary documents. Some of us are here from morning 4am. Though, I came early in the morning, my token number is 104. This has been the condition because there is only a single counter in the bank,” rued a farmer Jhasketan Patel.
“Efforts are being made to open more counters in the bank. I have apprised the higher officials of the plight. Steps in this regard will be taken soon,” said the Bank Manager Sibaram Panda.