Pandharpur, Correspondent
“If there is reportedly no money available for lending to farmers through various cooperative societies, and farmers are required to meet several eligibility criteria and complete extensive documentation to obtain loans, on what basis was a loan of ₹878 crore sanctioned to the Omkar Sugar Group in Ahmednagar and Pune districts?” This question was raised by Adv. Deepak Pawar, a member of a Vividh Karyakari Seva Society and former sarpanch of Jainwadi in Pandharpur taluka, during the 108th Annual General Meeting of the Solapur District Central Cooperative Bank.
The issue triggered a discussion during the meeting, with members seeking clarity from the bank administration over its lending practices.
The Solapur District Central Cooperative Bank, widely regarded as the farmers’ bank in the district, faced questions from members regarding its loan-disbursement policies during the AGM. While the bank is required to examine financial eligibility, documentation and other criteria before extending loans to farmers, cooperative societies and sugar factories in Solapur district, Pawar sought details of the criteria applied while sanctioning ₹878 crore to Omkar Sugar outside the district.
Pawar demanded that the bank disclose the reasons behind the sanction, the security obtained against the loan and the basis on which the borrower’s repayment capacity was assessed. He also sought detailed information about the approval process and the safeguards adopted by the bank before disbursing such a substantial amount.
He further demanded a comprehensive inquiry into loans allegedly sanctioned to institutions outside Solapur district during the period when the bank was under an administrator, as well as into any lending that may have been carried out in violation of applicable rules.
Pawar questioned why cooperative societies in Solapur district were reportedly being told that funds were unavailable for lending, while ₹878 crore could be sanctioned to an outside sugar group. His question led to considerable discussion among members at the AGM.
Bank Administrator Kundan Bhole responded to Pawar’s question. However, according to the account of the proceedings, some members were not satisfied with the response. As the issue remained unclear to the satisfaction of those present, the atmosphere in the meeting reportedly became serious for some time.
MLA Abhijit Patil intervened during the discussion and reportedly told the administration that the meeting was a democratic forum and that questions raised by members should be answered clearly and properly.
Members also demanded an inquiry into any large-scale lending by the district bank to sugar factories or industrial groups located outside Solapur district. They argued that the bank should explain to its members the criteria under which substantial loans are sanctioned to large industrial groups while farmers continue to face difficulties in accessing credit.
Adv. Deepak Pawar warned that if satisfactory information was not provided on the issues raised at the AGM, he would pursue the matter at the next level. He said a complaint would be submitted to Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Balasaheb Patil, seeking a detailed inquiry into the loans sanctioned to Omkar Sugar and other institutions outside the district.
The issue has therefore emerged as a matter of discussion beyond the AGM, with members and farmers seeking clarity on the bank’s lending procedures and the basis on which the ₹878-crore loan to Omkar Sugar was sanctioned.
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