Mysuru: Condemning the growing menace of microfinance companies, activists from the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday.

The protesters alleged that harassment by microfinance companies is driving farmers, women and youth to the brink, with many resorting to suicide under immense pressure. They highlighted instances of verbal abuse, humiliation and harassment by loan recovery agents, leaving victims helpless and struggling to file complaints.

The activists claimed that representatives of these finance companies, who go door-to-door to collect EMIs, operate without proper authorisation or Police clearance. Many do not carry official ID cards and allegedly behave inappropriately, acting as per their whims.

Despite a recent Government directive to address the issue, the protesters pointed out that it remains unimplemented, as evidenced by two recent suicide cases in the Chief Minister’s home district.

They urged the MP and concerned Ministers to take up the matter with the Union Finance Minister and establish clear guidelines for loan recovery practices to curb such harassment.

The protest was led by State Treasurer of the Sugarcane Growers Association, Kerehundi Rajanna, along with State Organisational Secretary Hattalli Swamy, pro-Kannada activist B.A. Shivashankar, District President Hadya Ravi and others, including M.V. Krishnappa, Nanjangud Taluk President Ambale Mahadeva Swamy, District General Secretary Kasuvinahalli Manjesh, District Vice-President Muddalli Chikkaswamy, Senapathi and Shantharaju.