Farmer tries to end life as bankers threaten auction over 27-year-old loan

Venkanna, a differently-abled farmer, recently attempted suicide after allegedly facing harassment from bank officials who demanded repayment of a loan he claimed to have already settled. His father had taken a loan of ₹40,000 from Edavelli Primary Cooperative Bank 27 years ago.

Nalgonda: Even agricultural cooperative societies, which are expected to support farmers by fulfilling their credit needs, are now adding to their despair, with one such society, pressured to meet recovery targets, acted ruthlessly and pushed a farmer to the brink.

Venkanna, a physically challenged farmer, recently attempted suicide due to harassment by bank officials demanding repayment of a loan, which he claimed to have already repaid. Venkanna’s father had taken a loan of Rs 40,000 from Edavelli Primary Cooperative Bank 27 years ago. At the time of partitioning family properties, Venkanna claimed to have cleared his father’s loan borrowed against their four acres of land, but he failed to obtain a no dues certificate. Now, the bankers demand Rs 1.68 lakh with interest and have threatened to auction the property.

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Distressed by the bank’s harassment, Venkanna consumed pesticide in a desperate attempt to escape his predicament. He is currently battling for his life at the Nalgonda Government Hospital.

Four years ago, Venkanna and his wife Rani had availed an agriculture loan of Rs 1.90 lakh from the same bank for agricultural needs. Recently, cooperative bank officials marked their land placing red flags in a symbolic takeover of possession. They claimed that the land now belonged to society and threatened to auction it if the loan, along with interest, was not repaid by March 19.

This also added to his predicament, forcing Venkanna to attempt ending his life.