Source: Hueiyen News Service / Basanta Thokchom
Imphal, December 24 2010:
The Union Ministry of Finance under its Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme had in 2008 announced the waiver of loans to farmers.
Three years later authority of the United Bank of India (UBI) has inexplicably asked a farmer to repay a loan of ' 2 lakh obtained by him in 2005 .
When the present Home Minister, P Chidambaram was the Finance Minister at the Centre, his ministry had announced a waiving of loans.
This was effected across the country by a circular issued by the ministry on May 28, 2008.
Kajam Purnima son of Ibotombi of Kodompokpi Mayai Leikai in Imphal west, had availed a loan of ' 2 lakh from the UBI Singjamei branch in 2005.In defiance of the Union Government's decision the bank's authorities have insisted that he repay the "loan" .
The bank has intimated him to repay ' 25,875 for the loan taken on his Account No.0651303600012 opened under Fish Meat Pisciculture Farm, ' 20,700 from account no.0651303600010 opened in the name of Kajam Fish Farm, ' 1,82,622 from Account No.065136200434 open in his name and ' 25,875 from another account 065130360012 opened in the name of his Fish Meat Pisciculture Farm.
The bank's transaction statement said that Purnima has a due amount of ' 71,122 on his account no.0651303600012 and ' 1,05,463 on an another account no.0651006200100 .
Keeping aside the facts of the Union Government's waiver of farmers' loans Purnima asked the bank's manager to clarify why the bank has charged him of availing loans under four accounts when he had availed of from only one account.
The manager however could not give a satisfactory answer.