The Public Works Minister and Belagavi district in-charge, Satish Jarkiholi, announced on Tuesday that approximately 15,000 women who obtained loans from a microfinance company have fallen victim to a massive fraud scheme. A dedicated team of three police officers has been established to investigate this alarming situation.
Addressing the media in Belagavi, Jarkiholi revealed that the women were lured into taking loans under false pretenses, believing they would receive substantial financial support, only to find themselves deceived.
Initial reports suggest the scam involves an estimated ₹100 crore. The police team is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Jarkiholi indicated that middlemen, who persuaded the women to secure loans with promises of significant returns, will also be detained for questioning.
In response to the situation, authorities have instructed the microfinance company to cease any harassment of the women regarding loan repayments.
In light of the recent death of a contractor in Bhalki, Jarkiholi commented that, during the BJP administration, contractor Santosh Patil explicitly implicated the then-Minister K.S. Eshwarappa. In contrast, there were no accusations against Minister Priyank Kharge in the current case. He asserted, “The truth will emerge once the investigation concludes. A minister cannot be compelled to resign following a protest by the BJP.”
On the topic of solid waste management in Belagavi, Jarkiholi proposed the establishment of four units for waste segregation and disposal and announced that a meeting will be convened shortly to address the matter effectively.
MLA Asif (Raju) Sait was also present during the briefing.
Published – December 31, 2024 10:04 pm IST
