Khaira: Farmers were allegedly miffed over unavailability of loans from Khaira block of Balasore, as Bhadrak-Balasore Central Cooperative Bank is plagued with staff shortage.
Farmers affiliated to 16 cooperative societies have been frequenting the BCCB without success.
Reports said, loan proposals of over 200 farmers in various societies have been pending for clearance.
“We had applied for loans about six months ago. All necessary documents have been submitted. But shortage of staff has been a major problem in dealing with the files,” some farmers observed.
Besides, loan files of various self-help groups have been stuck. But the bank authorities cite paucity of staff and do not dispose of files, some SHG members said.
It is time for paddy to get boost from fertilizers. “Until loans are sanctioned, how we can buy fertilizers. We are exhausted by frequenting to the bank,” some other lamented.
“Both the state and central governments have been bragging about special grants to farmers, but the plight of farmers is hardly noticed,” rued Biswanath Mohapatra, a farmer of Gadapokhari.
Secretaries of several cooperative societies have been reminding the BCCB authorities to do the needful to clear the loan proposal, but nothing is being done.
Branch manager of BCCB, Sanjay Mohanty said file processing could not be possible due to staff crunch. “The higher authorities have been apprised of the situation. After new staff were appointed, the issue will be sorted out,” he added.
Additional manager of the bank, Jaladhar Panda, said he would talk to the branch manager and take necessary step to settle the issue.
PNN
