Demonetisation: Madhepura farmers are a harried lot

MADHEPURA/ NEW DELHI: Farmers in several villages of the Madhepura district in Bihar are facing the brunt of demonetisation. They say the money given by bank is not enough for the cultivation of rabi crops, which are sown around mid-November.
A lot of farmers - including Parshuram Tiwari, Upendra Mandal and Rajendra Das of Laxmipur Bhagwati Panchayat; Ashok Jha, Devesha Jha and Md. Musa of Ramnagar Mahesh Panchayat; Rajendra Singh and Gulab Chandra Shah of Pramanandpur Panchayat; Devan Ray of Mangalwada Panchayat and Lalan Mishra of Israin Bela Panchayat - told this correspondent that the crop, especially maize, which is very expensive in terms of cultivation, will be the worst affected.
Farmers said, according to government's order, they are entitled to withdraw Rs 25,000, but banks are unable to provide money due to shortage of cash."Shopkeepers are not accepting debit card payments, because they don't use Card Swipe Machine. “We are not very familiar with Paytm. So, we are unable to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs for cultivation," farmers said.
To ensure sowing in rabi season goes uninterrupted, the government, on Thursday, allowed farmers to withdraw Rs 25,000 a week against their crop loan or Kissan Credit Card, according to reports.
Farmers have been severely hit after the demonetisation decision on November 8. Lack of cash with farmers, which could potentially impact the cultivation process of the new crop, is a real concern.
Cashier of Ramnagar Mahesh branch of the Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank Mukul, meanwhile, said, "We are helpless in giving the money to the farmers, as we are not getting enough cash. We have to work till 10:00pm in view of the extra rush. The work overload is affecting the health of the bank officials.
Cashier of Central Bank of Tikuliya, Madhepura, KK Mishra said after the announcement of demonetisation policy, "there is an excessive load of work". "However, despite hurdles, we are committed to carry out our duty." He admitted that it is very difficult to control the situation "due to the cash crunch".