Several farmers duped of lakhs with promise of subsidised loans in Halebeedu

HASSAN: A specially-abled man, who claimed to be an agent of prominent public sector banks, allegedly cheated hundreds of farmers by taking lakhs of rupees while promising to get them subsidised loan under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, at Halebeedu in Belur taluk.

Shankarappa G, hailing from Kadenahalli village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district, used to visit Halebeedu claiming to be an agent of SBI and Canara Bank. He capitalised on his abled status and introduced himself to Dyavappanahalli Somanna and Eshanna of Girikallahalli village, who social workers and influential leaders of Halebidu hobli.

Shankarappa died of heart attack recently.

Shankarappa first got small loan for Somanna, Eshanna and made them believe that he can get loans for farmers, poor daily-wage workers referred by the two leaders. He had warned them not to tell this matter to anyone. Thinking that it will be beneficial for farmers, poor daily wage workers, Somanna and Eshanna said they will get loans for more than 72 people they knew and gave Rs 13,000 as commission for every Rs 1 lakh hoping to get loan.

Shankarappa cheated them by taking approximately Rs 1 crore in commission promising to get lakhs of subsidy loan under PMEGP scheme for sheep, poultry, cow rearing and paper cup manufacturing machine. Those who lost money then approached Somanna and Eshanna’s houses claiming that they cheated. Somanna and Eshanna died of heart attack in this pain

So far, only one case has been registered at the Halebeedu police station. Shankarappa is believed to have cheated other people in Chikkaballapur, Mandya, Mysuru also and a summons has been issued in Chikkaballapur, but he has not responded. The poor people who lost money are nwo demanding justice.