Dibrugarh: Hundreds of women took to the streets in Sadiya, Tinsukia district, on Thursday under the banner of the Nari Mukti Sangram Samiti, demanding an immediate waiver of microfinance loans, alleging that predatory lending practices and aggressive recovery tactics have pushed rural women to the brink of financial ruin.The demonstration began at the Bir Lachit Stadium, with participants raising slogans as the rally marched through Sadiya before culminating at the Sadiya Circle Office. There, protesters submitted a memorandum to the circle officer addressed to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, outlining a range of grievances against non-banking financial companies, microfinance institutions, private banks and other financial agencies operating in rural areas.The memorandum alleged that NBFC-MFI institutions and private banks have been charging exorbitant interest rates on loans extended to rural women, plunging entire households into severe financial distress. It stated that many borrowers, unable to bear the mounting burden of repayment, have been compelled to liquidate land, livestock and other assets to meet loan instalments. The memorandum further alleged that recovery agents from microfinance institutions have subjected women borrowers to mental harassment, intimidation and coercion.“These institutions are bleeding rural women dry with excessive interest rates. Women are being forced to sell their land, their cattle, everything they own, just to make repayments. The govt must act now and provide immediate relief,” said Nabanita Gogoi, a member of the Nari Mukti Sangram Samiti.The protesters also called out what they described as state govt’s failure to fully implement its own relief measures. The memorandum noted that although state govt had announced assistance for microfinance borrowers under the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme 2021, a large number of women have yet to receive any loan waiver under the scheme.“We were promised relief years ago. But the women who need it most are still waiting,” said one of the protesters at the rally.Among the key demands put forward were the immediate waiver of microfinance loans for women borrowers, a halt to harassment by recovery agents, suspension of court notices issued against borrowers, strict regulatory enforcement on microfinance companies, and the issuance of no-objection certificates to affected women.The organisation urged state govt to resolve the issue without further delay and ensure tangible relief reaches women in rural Assam.
