RAYAGADA: Incidents of lending money at high rate of interest by private operators and dubious financial firms from Andhra Pradesh (AP) are on the rise in the district.
In the last five years, more than 40 money lending organisations have opened their offices in the district and providing loans at hefty interest rate to farmers, shopkeepers and small businessmen. Locals alleged though the district administration and police are well aware of the issue, no action has been initiated so far.
President of Rayagada ST Cell of Congress, Rabla Majhi alleged that several money lenders from Andhra are coming to the district, including the district headquarters town, to lend money at high interest rates. Even as they do not have permission for lending money, they continue to do so.
President of District Congress Committee (DCC) Durga Prasad Panda said he had complained regarding the activities of illegal money laundering firms in Rayagada town to Additional District Magistrate Laxmikant Behera, but no action has been taken by the administration so far.
When contacted, Collector Jagannath Mohanty said the administration is yet to receive any formal complaint about illegal money lending activities from the depositors.
Following farmer suicides across the State due to crop loss and debt burden, the State Government had directed police and administrations of all districts to be strict towards money lenders in rural areas.
- newindianexpress
