BDCC Bank authorities warn of legal action against false allegations

Pic: BDCC Bank chairman Annasaheb Jolle and MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi speak at a press conference in Belagavi on MondayBelagavi: The Belagavi District Central Cooperative (BDCC) Bank issued a stern warning to individuals allegedly spreading misleading statements and maligning the bank's image. The authorities said legal notices will henceforth be served to anyone making false claims or allegations against the bank.
Addressing a joint press conference here on Monday, BDCC Bank chairperson Annasaheb Jolle and MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi alleged that former MP Ramesh Katti and Dr Mahantesh Kadadi of Gokak were spreading baseless allegations through the media. They said a legal notice was already issued to Dr Kadadi, who alleged that the bank sanctioned an illegal loan to Ghataprabha-based contractor Jaysheel Shetty.Jarkiholi clarified that the bank extended a Rs 100 crore loan to Shetty against hypothecation of 4 acres of commercial land in a key location in Belagavi, along with Rs 700 crore worth of pending bills payable to him by the minor and major irrigation departments. "If Kadadi fails to apologise, a defamation case will be filed against him," he said.He also addressed allegations related to loans sanctioned to Soubhagyalaxmi Sugar Factory, stating that the bank provided an Rs 80 crore loan against property valued at Rs 300 crore, including 432 acres of land. Jarkiholi said some people were attempting to mislead the public. "If they continued such an attitude, they will not be allowed to take the power in the bank for the next 15 years."Chairman Jolle said some people, including former chairman Ramesh Katti, were questioning every recent loan issued by the bank. He countered by stating that the Katti family availed Rs 97 crore for constructing a mall on 7,270 sq metres in Belagavi and another Rs 100 crore for Vishwaraj Sugars by mortgaging 13.1 acres of land. "Should we say that was wrong? Absolutely not. We sanction loans when borrowers have sufficient property for hypothecation. We do not give loans to defaulters," he said.Jolle further claimed that BDCC Bank disbursed the highest agricultural loans in the state, amounting to Rs 3,710 crore, which is Rs 300 crore higher than last year. He said deposits increased by Rs 500 crore, and non-agricultural loans also rose. He noted that under the 0% crop loan scheme, the crop loan cap stands at Rs 46,000, as decided by the state and district technical committees.The chairman also announced an insurance scheme for the bank's 2,081 employees, providing coverage of Rs 1 lakh for a couple and 2 children, Rs 5 lakh compensation in case of natural death, and Rs 15 lakh for accidental death. He said the bank would contribute 58% of the premium, employees 21%, and the remaining 21% would be borne by societies under the bank.Vice-chairperson and MLA Raju Kage, MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, and directors Rahul Jarkiholi, Arvind Patil, Mahantesh Doddagoudar, and others were present.