Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday lashed out at the Congress government over its inaction to the complaints of alleged harassment from the microfinance institutions in several parts of the State.
“The government should have taken action when the first case of alleged harassment was reported from Chamarajanagar,” Mr. Kumaraswamy told reporters in Mysuru.
Women deserted their village as they were unable to bear the alleged harassment from the microfinance firms. Instead of giving moral support to the victims, the government did nothing and left the people to suffer at the hands of the firms, he charged.
The Minister said illegal microfinance firms are thriving in the State, and the government has turned a blind eye. The firms are running their businesses without licence but the government has done nothing to curb such activities. It has now convened the meeting on the issue, he stated.
Firms without licences
In Mandya alone, there are over 40-45 unlicensed microfinance firms. “I spoke to the deputy commissioner of Mandya on the complaints of harassment from the firms. The officer said they do not have powers as only 15 of 60 microfinance firms legally operate.”
Hitting out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioning his style of governance, Mr. Kumaraswamy said women are sending their “mangalsutras” to the CM and the Home Minister seeking justice over the alleged harassment from the finances.
Administration collapsed
While demanding good governance in the State, he said the administration has collapsed. The Congress leaders are busy with their affairs and leadership issues, ignoring the people’s sufferings. The leaders claim to be united and together. “Who wants whether they are together or not? The people want good governance and relief to their woes.”
He said Karnataka was known for its governance model in the country, and the model has now collapsed under the Congress regime.
Hits out at CM
Mr. Kumaraswamy mocked the Chief Minister for his statement that he skipped the Davos meeting citing the budget preparation. When the Chief Ministers of other States went to Davos to bring investments to their respective States, Mr. Siddaramaiah wanted to be in the State for the budget.
Mr. Kumaraswamy referred to the Debt Relief Act that he introduced during his tenure as the Chief Minister in 2018. He stated that he had met with the President of India to get the nod for the Act. However, he said that subsequent governments did not implement the act that gave relief to the people who were unable to repay their loans.
“I had also sent the then Cooperation Minister to Kerala to study the guidelines the neighbouring State had brought for addressing the cases when the people cannot repay their loans. Our government fell before we could do anything,” he said.
