The protesters, who had gathered in front of the bank, raised slogans against the manager. The agitators were supported by local people who took the manager to task.
At one juncture, they even attempted to close the bank doors. Gram Panchayat former members Shashidhar and Channakeshava present on the spot wanted the bank authorities to immediately disburse loans, or warned of intensifying protest.
Basavaraju, Rajamma, Dakshayini and others, residents of Palahalli, had been sanctioned ` 30,000 loan each with government subsidies. Though two months passed since sanctioning of loans, the bank manager Ramamurthy was purposefully delaying distributing loans to beneficiaries.
They also claimed that they were being forced to make several trips to the bank.
Association president Darsaguppe Manjunath demanded stern action against the manager.
Moreover, the bank officials had been harrassing the pensioners and others since the past eight months.
They alleged that while wealthy and policiticians had been sanctioned loans quickly, the poor are made to run from pillar to post. Association vice-president Basavaraju, Secretary Nagaraju, Manjunath, Rajamma, Kempamma and others participated in the protest.
They called off their stir only after officials promised to disburse loans at the earliest.
