Hoshangabad: Following the directive of Umakant Umrao, the commissioner of Narmadapuram division, the SDMs of Hoshangabad, Harda and Betul districts have started the process of identification of the victims of moneylenders in their sub-divisions and have registered cases against their tormentors. Thanks to the campaign launched by the commissioner, victims of moneylenders are increasingly coming forward to get cases registered against them. The SDMs are also trying to identify such persons through Patwaris, ASHA workers, Aaganwadi workers, secretaries of village Panchayats and employment assistance.
According to information received, so far, two cases have been registered against usurious moneylenders in Hoshangabad, two in Piparia and eight in Betul. As many 93 cases are already registered and 30 of them have been disposed of. In Betul, the SDMs have issued show-cause notices to 38 licenced moneylenders for violating the provisions of the Moneylenders Act. In 20 cases, fines have been imposed. Ten licensed moneylenders have reported that they are not into the business of lending money. In Betul, 93 cases have been identified on the basis of the reports of Patwaris.
Madhya Pradesh Indemnification and Salvation Act, 1976 for landholders of weaker section of society to protect them from land grabbing machination of money lenders, 1976 was invoked by MS Raghuvanshi, the SDM of Piparia in a case recently. He cancelled the transfer of land of applicant Yashoda Bai in the name of another person. Yashodha Bai, a widow is a resident of Jhiria village of Piparia. Her land was got transferred in his name by Chandrabhan Kaurav through fraud. The SDM declared the transfer null and void and directed that Yashoda Bai should be repossessed of her land.
The commissioner has ordered a monthly review of all actions taken under the Moneylenders Act. He has also asked that the indebted farmers should be counselled to bring them out of depression. The reasons being their indebtedness should be probed and it should be ensured that they are provided aid and loans under different government schemes.