Mangaluru, July 17: In Dakshina Kannada district so far, cases of suicide due to debt are not reported. The Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim has directed the banks, co-operative firms and other financial firms not to torture, pressurize or file cases against the concerned persons who have borrowed loans.
Since many cases of suicide of debt ridden farmers are taking place in the state, in a meeting held to discuss about such cases in the district, the DC passed this direction. In Puttur jurisdiction, 3 cases of suicide had been registered out of which investigations in two cases have confirmed that the suicide was not committed due to debt. Concerned to the suicide case that took place on July 12th at Uppinangady, investigations are going on, informed the DC.
A total of 320 financial firms are functioning in the district among which 50 firms have not renewed their licences yet. When two firms in Puttur were raided, it came to light that they had given loans on 18% interest. A case has been registered pertained to this, informed B K Saleem, the Deputy registrar of co-operative society.
The farmers meagrely avail loans in D K district, but instead here it has been noticed that small loans are taken for daily business and for fishing. Any kind of torture given to the person who has borrowed loan or to the family of the person who has borrowed loan; due to which if a person commits suicide, it will be considered as abetment to suicide by the loan lender. In this view in every district, suicide inspection committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Additional Commissioner, informed B K Saleem.
24/7 control room for farmers and publics: SP
As the farmers suicide is increasing in the state, and as directed by the state Police head to take immediate actions, a meeting was organized in the D K district SP’s office and specific instructions were given. For the benefit of the farmers as well as the public’s, 24/7 control rooms has been opened. If there are any pressures or torture from the financial firms for loan repayment, the concerned can phone at the number 0824-2440284 or 2220500 and lodge their complaint, following which immediate actions will be taken, informed District Superintendent of Police Dr S D Sharanappa.
As per the Karnataka Banking Act, Section 28 (1), provisions are given only to issue a maximum interest of 14% for the security loans and maximum interest of 16% for the unsecured loans. Excessive interest enforcement, violence, attacks will be charged with six months imprisonment, or impose fine of Rs 5,000 or both, informed SP.
