Page 95 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

the loan. I told them, "You are affluent farmers and your sons are
definitely eligible for loan, but it has to be as per guidelines of the scheme.
You have to decide an activity for which you can comply with the
formalities as per the loan scheme."

They suddenly proposed an alternative activity of trading in fertilizers and
I requested them to approach the District Industries Department to get
the activity changed. The Industry Department could just send a letter
permitting change of activity and there would be no need for entire set
of documents to be returned to them to save time.

They left a bit pacified and later brought the letter for change of activity
from Industry Department. I inspected their place of activity - a room
lying vacant after they did not get their wine shop license renewed. On
my insistence, they cemented the ground of the room. I made direct
payment to the supplier of the fertilizers as per bank rules to ensure end
use of the funds for the purpose for which the loan was given.

This was one harrowing experience for me as they were known for their
many coercive activities in the area. I and my Loan Officer heaved a sigh
of relief only after their completing all the formalities.

Insights from the episode
1. Misnomers about Government sponsored Loan Schemes plague the
banking system.
2. Self-Employment scheme of the Government becomes birth right of
people even if they are not eligible.
3. Sometimes, it is perilous while balancing organizational interest and
personal safety.

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