He was speaking at a public meet on the tractors’ problems convened by the Tractor Owners’ Association here on Monday.

During the programme held at Kannada Sangha Vedike, he said the farmers are forced into debt traps systematically through a network of show rooms, agents and bank managers, Mr Chandrashekhar said. 

The farmers who were lured into the loan schemes have been forced to commit suicide being unable to pay up the high interest, following harassment by the banks and for many other reasons, he alleged.

A farmer with two-three acres of land would be baited with loan up to Rs two lack to Rs five lack.

 Eventually, for eight to ten years he would pay up high interest; for repair and other equipment he will have to spend extra amount, he said.

Chandrashekhar further alleged that the private banks heartlessly pull up farmers using goons to recover the loan, consequently leading to farmers’ death.

Agitation
He called for a State-wide agitation, demanding the government to bear the burden of tractor loan.
He further urged the State for regulating companies on luring farmers into buying motorbikes and cell phones through their deceptively attractive advertisements campaigns which is also a reason behind farmers borrowing money. Besides, as per the High Court order the government should ensure that tractors are not seized while recovering the loan amount forcefully.

The State on Panjab government lines should exempt farmers from green and life taxes and pay loan facilities at four per cent interest; his other demands included distribution of diesel at subsidised rate for tractors and Rs one lakh subsidy.

Taluk Raita Sangha President K P Mallesh, the district President B S Devaraj, district convenor Shankaranna, Honourary President Satish Huliyaru hobli President T S Mallikarjunaiah, Chandraiah and Taluk Tractor Owners’ President M Nagaraj were present on the occasion.

Earlier in the day, a protest rally was taken out during which over 50 tractors lined up on the main roads.