Vellore ryots find getting loans hard after fresh directive

VELLORE: Farmers in integrated Vellore district are in a bind as they are unable to get loans for the ensuing Samba paddy season due to a cooperative department directive ordering them to get loans from the PACBs (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Bank) in whose jurisdiction their farm lands are located, revealed sources.

With Sornavari paddy season ending and abundant water availability in irrigation tanks due to the continued rain raised farmers hopes of a bountiful harvest for the next major Samba paddy season.

“If we start farming operations now we will be able to harvest Samba paddy in either December or January next year,” said Vivasyigal Sangam’s Vellore Panchayat Union Secretary AM Rajendran.

However, many were taken aback when contrary to the usual habit of their getting loans in areas where their houses were located, bank officials told them to get loans from PACBs in whose jurisdiction their lands were located.

“Usually our houses and lands are far apart and thus we till now got loans from PACBs near our houses as our neighbours could vouch for us,” said farmer N Ravi of Kaveripakkam.

Manavalan, the Vellore district secretary, said, “Our lands being located in different areas creates problems as nobody will be willing to vouch for us as they do not know us well.”

“We wonder why PACB officials never informed us beforehand about this as the usual practice is for bank officials asking to opt for another crop loan once we have repaid an earlier one,” said Vellore district president Venketesan.

“We face problems only now as PACB officials ask us coolly to approach the bank where our lands are located despite their knowing fully well the problems farmers will face in getting such loans,” said Manavalan, a farmer of Tirumani in Vellore district.

When contacted VCCB (Vellore Central Cooperative Bank) chairman V Ramu, agreed to the problems faced by the farmers.

“Yes, we understand the farmers’ problems but we are helpless as this is an oral directive from the registrar of cooperative societies. They have ordered us to follow this strictly as otherwise, it creates jurisdiction issues lead to problems when the government announces loan waivers,” said the bank official.