Farmers of Anantapur district under the banner of Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangam staged a dharna in front of the State Bank of India’s (SBI) zonal office here on Thursday protesting against the non-extension of mortgage-free loans up to Rs.2 lakh in their district.
Around 70 farmers of Garladinne and Singanamala mandals, serviced by the bank’s Kallur branch, laid a siege to the entrance of the administrative office demanding extension of the support to help farmers take up agricultural activities in the district known for the lowest rainfall and perennial drought conditions. Reiterating the bank’s commitment to serve the farming community, Assistant General Manager M. Pavan Kumar explained that the rider of clean track record of repayment for the past three years should be adhered to for sanction of fresh loans, as mandated by their headquarters.
Sangam district secretary P. Peddireddy pointed out that other banks were extending loans without such pre-conditions.
