Congress MP M Jagannath has allegedly slapped a bank manager for not releasing loans to SC/ST beneficiaries.
Congress MP from Nagarkurnool in Andhra Pradesh M Jagannath has allegedly slapped a bank manager in Mahabubnagar district for not releasing loans to SC/ST beneficiaries.
Jagannath attended a meeting of Uppununtala mandal officials and public representatives yesterday in which he was told that Ravinder Reddy, manager of the local branch of Andhra Pradesh Grameen Vikas Bank, was not releasing the loan amounts to SC/ST beneficiaries, official sources said.
Reddy did not give a satisfactory reply when Jagannath sought an explanation over phone following which the latter went to the bank, they said.
In the scuffle that followed, Jagannath allegedly slapped Ravinder Reddy. Footage aired by a news channel showed Jagannath slapping the bank manager more than once.
The MP later told reporters that the bank manager was drunk and was not releasing loans to the SC/ST beneficiaries. "Can he speak to me in the language which he did. He was drunk heavily. If he was taken to the hospital, it would have been proved," he said.
The bank manager said Jagannath's behaviour is not befitting to the position held by him.
"He could have complained to my bosses if I am negligent in discharging my duties. This is not the way," Reddy said. He
also said he would consult the bank employees union on his next course of action.
The bank manager later lodged a police complaint against the Lok Sabha member.
A counter case under the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/STs was filed against the MP by some youth at Uppununtala, police said.
Meanwhile, the AP Regional Rural Banks Employees Association (APRRBEA) demanded that the MP express regret for his actions and also assure that such "scenes in future" won't recur from his end.
As a mark of protest, all the staff in the rural branches were wearing black badges and staging demonstrations before offices of district collectors, a release issued by the APRRBEA said.
The Association also said that it would take up the matter with prime minister, Lok Sabha speaker and chief minister.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}