The Mysuru City Police, which has launched a crackdown on private money lenders collecting exorbitant rate of interest, has now started a farmers’ helpline.
Farmers or the general public in the limits of Mysuru City Police Commissionerate can lodge complaints pertaining to collection of high rate of interest or other related woes by calling the helpline number 0821-2418541.
A statement from the City Police Commissioner’s office said the number of farmers committing suicide in the last few days had increased. The police also said that collection of high rate of interest and exertion of pressure on farmers by various banks, cooperative institutions and private moneylenders was found to be the reason for farmers ending their lives.
The farmers’ helpline, Raitha Sahayavani, will function 24 hours a day and two officials of the rank of sub-inspector of police have been posted to receive the complaints.
By starting the service, the City Police wishes to send a message that it was always available for the farmers and there was no need for them to lose confidence.
The police has also warned that strict action will be taken against persons found indulging in illegal money lending activities. The private money lenders should not only obtain a licence from the Cooperation department, but also adhere to the ceiling of 14 per cent interest on secured loans and 16 per cent interest on unsecured loans.
The Mysuru City Police’s farmers’ helpline is in addition to a similar helpline started by the Agriculture Department. The latter can be contacted by calling 0821-2442239 .
