Thiruvananthapuram, July 29 (UNI) The death of one Philomina for want of money is proof enough that the CPI-M-controlled Karuvannur Cooperative bank in Kerala’s Thrissur, which reported Rs 104 crore bank fraud a year ago, is yet to bring any reprieve to the affected depositors.Philomena’s family, who had deposited all their savings in the Cooperative bank, lost her to an ailment as they failed to get her treated after their money was blocked after the scam.
Despite running from pillar to post, They could not get enough money and she passed away early this week. The agitated locals protested with her body on the road. The situation worsened after State High- er Education Minister and local legislator R. Bindhu referred to it as a “political” issue and said the bank had given enough money to treat Philomina. But Philomena’s son slammed the Minister saying they did not get the money. The minister is not fully updated on issues and what she said is not true, he added.
Ramakrishnan, the aged father of the secretary of the bank- P.R.Sunil Ku- mar, presently in jail, said his son just listened to the top CPI-M leaders in the district and sanctioned the loans.
“While many of those who were arrested last year are out on bail and those employees who were suspended have been reinstated, my son- who only acted on the directions of the CPI-M leaders is still in jail. Being the secretary of the bank, it’s his responsibility to clear and sign the papers for loan sanction and hence he and we are all in trouble,” said Ramakrishnan. Meanwhile, State Cooperative Minister V.N.Vasan said the government is doing everything to resolve the issues and is working out a program to see the depositors get back their money in a time-bound manner.
“There are issues in banks which are managed by the Congress-led UDF parties too and the state government is work- ing to see how quickly the people’s interests are addressed,” said Vasavan.
Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan on Friday slammed Bindhu for her curt remarks and sought her apology. “It was total- ly an irresponsible remark from the Minister- who is also the local legislator. Appropriate action is yet to come on the wrongdoers,” said Satheesan. There are reports that things are not fine in over 100 Cooperative banks in the state and the maximum number of such banks which are precariously placed is in the state capital district. Over the years, the Cooperative banking sector in the state has emerged as the lifeline of the rural economy.
