Nagpur: Bankers implementing the state govt’s Punyashlok Ahilyabai Farm Loan Waiver Scheme have expressed concern over facing the ire of farmers whose names are not there in the first list of beneficiaries.A branch manager of Central Bank was allegedly assaulted by a member of one of the farmers’ outfits in Buldhana’s Khamgaon recently. The incident led to a flash strike by the bankers. Police officials in Khamgaon said an offence was registered, following which bankers returned to work. The matter was also raised during the state-level bankers’ committee (SLBC) meeting held at Pune on Friday.A source who took part in the meeting said the farmers are blaming banks for no fault on their part. The list is finalised by the state govt. The banks are only sending data to the state department of cooperatives, he added.The staffers’ association is planning to write to govt seeking deployment of police or at least increased patrolling in rural branches, a source said. The second list is expected to be released by Aug 15. Once the list is out, farmers are supposed to get their Aadhaar authentication done, which is followed by the paying up of dues by the state govt.Meanwhile, slow progress by nationalised banks in disbursing fresh crop loans has also raised concern. Divisional commissioner Vijaylakshmi Bidari has asked the banks to speed up the process, especially in Gadchiroli and Gondia districts.In the Nagpur division, crop loans worth Rs 3,140 crore have been disbursed till July 29. This comes to 62% of the total target, a source said. The cooperative banks have covered more than 97% of the target, while govt banks are at 42%, says govt data.The numbers are lagging also because a large number of farmers have not completed the Aadhaar authentication or have been included in the waiver list, said sources. Since their old dues remain to be cleared, the farmers cannot be eligible for fresh loans.
