Sources says several residents of Gowadi village in the district who had been denied loans or never applied for loans found their names in the list
Authorities in Rajasthan are probing allegations of irregularities in the state's loan waiver scheme. Three officials of a cooperative bank from Dungarpur district are being probed for fraudulent transactions, said sources.
The alleged scam came to light after a list of beneficiaries was put up online. Sources said several residents of Gowadi village in the district who had been denied loans or never applied for loans found their names in the list.
"Had it not been online we would have never found about the scam. I was assured of a loan by the bank officials but never received the money. Now my name is in the list of beneficiaries," said a farmer. He was part of a group of villagers, including women, that protested on Sunday against the alleged irregularities.
The cooperative bank has so far disbursed nearly Rs 8 crore among 1,780 beneficiaries and most of them are believed to be proxy. Jolted by the development, the bank has suspended one official and divested two of their powers.
There have been instances of fraudulent transactions across cooperative banks in the state. Controversies had surrounded the banks after demonetisation.
According to the state, more than 3 lakh farmers have benefitted from the loan write-off at a cost of Rs 5,900 crore since an announcement was made by the previous government. More farmers were expected to benefit after the new government declared another round of waiver within few days of its formation.
While the alleged scam at Dungarpur though is of the old loan waiver scheme, such incidents might not be limited to just one district, said sources. "We have ordered an inquiry on the issue, it will only after the investigation conclude that the allegations could be verified," said district collector, Chetan Ram Deora.
The expose though pushed the bank to take action. Despite being closed for Sunday, the bank suspended a loan supervisor and withdrew loan-related powers of two managers. Meanwhile, the authorities were unable to find whereabouts of the bank manager, who is believed to be the mastermind.
){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}
 "Farmers")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}