Bhubaneswar/Bolangir: In a bid to curb irregularities in issuance of crop loans and create awareness among farmers, the State government decided to put up details of loanees at panchayat office notice board.
In a letter written to central cooperative banks and societies, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies asked them to ensure details of farmers are made available village-wise to Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society (PACS).
Sources said the government’s move will dissuade farmers who avail agriculture loans to misutilise the money for other purposes.
Besides, the decision will be a caution to the staff of Primary Agricultural Co-operative Society and Large Area Multipurpose Society who have forged documents and registered themselves as sharecroppers, the sources added.
Cooperation Minister SN Patro said, “Details of loanees who have taken money from PACS will be available on websites as well.”
The government is planning to impose 12% rate of interest on farmers who have not used the money for agriculture, and used it instead for other commercial activities.
Meanwhile, farmers cry foul over non-availability of agriculture loans and allege that they have failed to get any help even after running from pillar to post.
A farmer from Bolangir said, “We are yet to get any financial support.”
Another farmer of Boudh said, “Nobody has told us how to get registered and avail loans. Whenever we approached government offices, they were either locked or we were turned away by them.
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