Post News Network
Bheden, Dec 28: Scores of farmers Monday locked up the Sambalpur District Central Cooperative Bank (SDCC) here in Bargarh district and staged a blockade on Bheden-Bargarh road accusing the bank officials of adopting a hawkish stance.
According to reports, several farmers Monday turned up at SDCC to claim their dues. They were waiting to get the payment which was deposited with the bank by the government for the crops that the farmers had sold at procurement centres. However, the bank authorities said they could not clear the dues as the bank had insufficient money. This sent the farmers into a rage. The protesters alleged that bank officials cooperated with traders but were deliberately creating problems for the farmers. The protesters demanded more than one payment counter during harvesting season and clearing of dues the same day when they bring their produce to yards.
Later, local branch manager Hemananda Patel and assistant manager Khitibhusan Sahoo held discussions with the agitating farmers and assured to take measures for clearing the payments of the farmers who were present at the bank. Following this, the agitation was withdrawn. Traffic movement was disrupted for three hours due to the demonstration.