In a protest staged in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha Mathu Hasiru Sene demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to waive farm loans.

Speaking at the protest held in front of MDCC bank, general secretary of Raitha Sangha Badaganapura Nagendra said that the previous State government had issued an order to waive loans of up to Rs 25,000. The waiver was for farmers who had availed loans between August 1, 2008 to July 27, 2012.

“However, the benefits are being extended to only those farmers who have cleared their loan before March 2012,” he said. Banks are keeping Rs 25,000 as deposit from farmers, stating that the money will be returned to farmers once the  government releases funds towards loan waiver.  Banks are waivering loans of farmers who have paid their arrears and are also giving loans to them, he said. He demanded the State government to stop such discrimination.

State government should direct banks to release loans to farmers immediately, he demanded. “There are several co-operative societies involved in misappropriation of funds. Appropriate measures should be taken immediately against such societies,” Nagendra demanded.

The government should also take steps to distribute fertilisers and seeds to farmers using co-operative societies, he said.