Another suicide due to alleged harassment
By IANSWednesday, October 13, 2010
HYDERABAD - Another person committed suicide Wednesday due to alleged harassment by a micro finance institution (MFI) in Andhra Pradesh, prompting an attack by Communist activists on the office of another MFI.
According to police, a borrower identified only as Balanarsu ended his life by consuming pesticides, alleging that employees of MFI Spandana were harassing him to repay the loan.
The incident took place at Annaram in Machareddy mandal of Nizamabad district.
This is the latest in a series of suicides linked to harassment by MFIs. An emergency meeting of the state cabinet has been convened Thursday to take a decision on issuing an ordinance to check the illegal activities of MFIs.
More than 25 people have committed suicides in the state in last two months allegedly due to harassment by MFIs.
Minister for Rural Development Vatti Vasanta Kumar held a video conference with district collectors and women’s self-help groups (SHGs) to take stock of the situation.
The SHGs complained that the government had failed to provide them loans, forcing them to approach MFIs.
Meanwhile, activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) attacked and ransacked the office of a MFI in Warangal town.
