Hassan, 14 March

In an incident highlighting peculiar banking procedures, a branch of Canara Bank in Sakleshpur has finally credited 66 paise to a farmer's account to close a loan-related issue after the matter drew media attention. The farmer, Chokkannagowda, is from Hosa Koppalu village in Sakleshpur taluk of Hassan district. 

Chokkannagowda said that authorities often ignore those who default on loans worth crores and flee the country, while small farmers who repay their loans face unnecessary difficulties.

The farmer had taken a loan of Rs 50,000 from the bank last year. He had already repaid the loan along with interest. However, on 25 February, he received a call from the bank stating that Rs 9.34 was still pending in his loan account.

Upon visiting the Sakleshpur branch to settle his account with Rs 10, Chokkannagowda found the bank had only credited Rs 9.34, retaining the remaining 66 paise. The farmer contested the discrepancy, but the bank finalised the transaction and issued a receipt for the smaller amount.

Only after the issue was reported in the media did the bank eventually credit the 66 paise to the farmer's account, thereby closing the matter.

When contacted, bank officials claimed that the call asking him to repay the remaining amount of Rs 9.34 paise was not made directly by branch staff but was generated through a computerised tele-calling system.