Karnataka - Hassan   

Farmers hold rally in Hassan against `exploitation' by banks

Staff Correspondent

HASSAN: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) in association with Hasiru Sene and Tractor Owners' Association here on Tuesday took out a rally in protest against, what the leaders described as the `exploitation' of farmers by financial institutions and tractor companies.

Hundreds of tractor owners participated in the rally. The rally, which was flagged off near Dairy Circle, culminated at High School grounds, after passing through Bangalore-Mysore road, Santhepet, Hosline Road and Racecourse Road.

Addressing the gathering, president of KRRS Kodihalli Chandrashekar blamed both the Centre and State for the problems being faced by the farmers, who have purchased tractors. He said that, financial institutions had started sanctioning loans for purchase of tractors generously after the Government's decision to expand farm credit.

He urged the State Government to waive off registration fee on tractors. He also urged the authorities to prevent financial institutions from auctioning tractors, in case of failure on part of farmers in remitting monthly instalments.

Vice-president, KRRS, Veerasangaiah, observed that, the programme of financial institutions to sanction loans for buying tractors had landed farmers in trouble. It had become difficult for them to repay debts while financial institutions were threatening to auction the tractors. Meanwhile, companies were cheating farmers by charging an additional Rs. 1 lakh on each tractor.

President, district unit, KRRS, Kanagal Murthy, alleged that, financial institutions that followed cumbersome procedures while sanctioning of agricultural loans were sanctioning loans for purchase of tractors without much formality. Later leaders met the Deputy Commissioner, K.H. Ashwathanarayana Gowda and handed over a memorandum.

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Farmers hold rally in Hassan against `exploitation' by banks

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