Banks reluctant to lend under Kisan Credit Card, say fishers

Banks cite poor record of repayment under deep sea fishing scheme

Fishing boat owners, who have applied for loans under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, say that certain banks were not entertaining their application forms.

“Some banks, especially a section of nationalised banks, do not want to give us loans. They want to give only ₹20,000 as loan, which is hardly enough for us to buy nets, boats or engines,” said Kabaddi Maran, a community leader.

A retired official of the Fisheries Department said that this problem was mainly seen in urban areas where in most cases fishermen did not come under the control of the fishing hamlet’s panchayat. “Nationalised banks are hesitating because under the deep sea fishing scheme, repayment has not been proper. Many have ended up as NPAs. They are afraid that these fishermen too would not repay expecting a loan waiver,” he said.