Call me if microfinance agents harass you: Kumaraswamy

Mandya: “If microfinance company agents trouble, threaten or harass you, don’t be afraid, call me immediately. I am here for you. Life is precious. Do not take extreme step under any circumstances,” said Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Speaking at Sri Bhoomi Siddeshwara Swamy Temple renovation ceremony in Santekasalagere village, Srirangapatna, Mandya district, on Sunday, the Union minister expressed concern over rural youth getting addicted to online gambling. They resort to suicide when they are not able to repay the money they borrowed for gambling. This is heartbreaking.

“More than 200 farmers in Mandya district committed suicide before I became CM in 2018. These deaths affected me. I visited Mandya and pleaded with the farmers not to take drastic steps. Later, I waived Rs 25,000 crore of farm loans and introduced the Debt Relief Act. I even approached the President of India to get the law approved,” he recalled.  

Harassment by microfinance agents started in Chamarajanagar a few months ago. Now, loan-related suicides are being reported across the state. The Law minister is yet to take a decision. This government takes lightning-fast decisions on other matters, but hesitates to act against microfinance lenders. This raises serious doubts, Kumaraswamy said.