Distressed farmers have testing times at banks

Luxettipet: Serpentine queues of farmers were seen in front of a bank branch to secure loans for kharif operations. Farmers, who have sold their paddy, but yet to get payments, are waiting near the banks. Farmers are seen standing at the bank in long queues as early as 5 am to get loans. But, the bankers are not interested in advancing loans to farmers.

At the most, farmers are given loans between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. So, the farmers have no other option, except approaching the moneylenders. They regretted for selling their produce at the purchase centres. They have been pleading with the bank officials to come to their rescue.

By Paruvella Satyanarayana