'Banks harassing small borrowers'

"Its (Adalot) action may be compared with summary military court", said the Samity's (association) Convenor Aminul Islam Golap at a press conference held at Gaibandha Press Club. The process of loan recovery, enforced by different commercial, industrial and agricultural banks, surpass the repression by zamindars in the past, he alleged. Other leaders of the Samity were also present at the press conference.

They complained of high interest rate and said small business is not viable with bank loan.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

They called upon the government to take steps to stop filing of cases with the Artha Rin Adalat and certificate cases against loans up to Tk five lakh.

They also alleged harassment and said there should be transparency in activities of the financing institutions.

They called upon the government to form an inquiry committee to probe the alleged harassment and to constitute a 'loan arbitration board' for 'smooth' recovery of loans.

Gaibandha is a flood-affected district and farmers and small traders are in deep crisis. This should be considered, they said.