Karnataka - Mysore

Syndicate Bank gives away ‘no dues certificates’

MYSORE: Syndicate Bank on Monday completed implementation of the agricultural debt waiver and debt relief schemes, according to a release.

This was achieved way ahead of schedule. and George Joseph, Executive Director of the bank, participated in programmes organised at the bank’s Somanahalli, Maddur and Shivalli branches in Mandya district.

“No dues certificates” were distributed to the farmers whose loans were waived under the scheme announced by the Government. Loans of 2,845 small and marginal farmers involving Rs. 750 lakh was waived, and loans of 319 farmers involving Rs. 78 lakh was considered under the one-time settlement scheme, in Mandya district.

Mr. Joseph, who handed over “no dues certificates” to the farmers, said that Syndicate Bank had covered over 4 lakh farmers under the scheme, and Rs. 900 crore had been waived.

Under the scheme, the Centre would be waiving over Rs. 71,000 crore across the country, he said, and added that this was the biggest waiver announced in the history of the country.

Farmers were the backbone of the countr, and more than 70 per cent of the population was dependent on agriculture directly or indirectly, he said.

Mr. Joseph urged the farmers to promptly repay fresh loans taken by them as the entire waiver amount provided by the bank was the tax payers’ money.

Such farm loan waivers could not be afforded in future, he said.

Mr. Joseph spoke of the initiative taken by the bank, in association with the State Government, to provide “smart cards” to over 3 lakh farmers in the districts of Bellary, Gulbarga and Chitradurga.

This would enable them to withdraw cash, make deposits and receive benefits under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, at their door steps, Mr. Joseph said.

Mr. Joseph urged the farmers to see to it that their children pursued higher studies, and added that the bank would provide them financial assistance.

K.L.N. Joshi, Assistant General Manager, Syndicate Bank, Mysore Region presided over the function.

He said that the Mysore Region comprising the districts of Hassan, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Mysore and Madikeri, had covered 7,682 small and marginal farmers. The total loan waived in these districts was to the tune of Rs. 74.52 crore.

In addition, 2,639 farmers were being considered for relief to the tune of Rs. 7.84 crore under the one-time settlement schem, Mr. Joshi said.

The farmers would be provided with fresh loans immediately to help them take up agricultural activities, he added.

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