Jajpur: Severe irregularities have been alleged in sanction of loans to farmers by the primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) affiliated to Cuttack Central Cooperative Bank (CCCB) under Dasarathpur block in Jajpur district, sources said Monday.
They alleged that officials of the cooperative societies and the bank are working hand-in-glove to create problems for the farmers. It has been reported that they are allegedly demanding 10% of the amounts sanctioned as loans.
The role played by 13 primary agricultural cooperative societies under Dasarathpur block affiliated to CCCB is a case in point. The PACS at Akarpada, Taliha, Katikata, Kuanrpur, Nandipur, Dasarathpur, Chhatrapada, Chasakhanda, Ahiyas, Palatpur, Mangalpur, Nizampur and Kamardihi are affiliated to the CCCB branch at Dasarathpur.
Over 30,000 farmers are registered members of these PACS. A loan amount target of `80 crore for disbursement was fixed for the FY 2023-24 kharif crop season. According to details available, loans over `82.72 crore have been disbursed to 13,245 farmers by September 30.
Moreover, 77 newly-registered farmers have been given loans of `23.79 lakh. Also `7.11 crore has been sanctioned for 1,434 farmers for the ensuing rabi season. Sources informed that the PACS are allegedly deducting 10 per cent from the loan amount sanctioned to each farmer under the pretext of subscription to meet the expenses borne by the bank and cooperative societies.
A farmer alleged that the PACS are deducting `2,000 for a loan of `20,000. The stark reality is that farmers are unaware about the loan amount sanctioned. This is because the passbooks and chequebooks are being held back by PACS employees and not being given to the farmers.
Sources pointed out loans of over `90 crore has been sanctioned to the farmers. If one takes into account that alleged 10 per cent that is being deducted an amount of `9 crore has allegedly been embezzled by PACS officials.
Sources said that the Odisha government has launched various schemes for benefit of the farmers. However, farmers have failed to reap the benefits of many of the schemes due to the unholy nexus between bank officials and elected officebearers of PACS.
The Odisha government has launched facilities like interest-free loans from cooperative societies or banks for farmers, providing financial aid and transferring amounts straight to the bank accounts of farmers under the state-sponsored KALIA and BALIA schemes. It is also providing various schemes through which farmers can buy agricultural equipment at subsidised rates.
However, due to some corrupt officials, farmers are suffering, sources pointed out. When contacted, Prasant Kumar Mallick, branch manager of CCCB’s Dasarathpur branch said he will conduct a probe into the allegations. Moreover, farmers will be sensitized to directly take loans from the bank, he added.
PNN