<i>No easy banking for farmers</i>

Despite the government's clear directive to open farmers' bank accounts across the country with the nominal deposit of Tk 10, farmers of some villages at Dacope in Khulna are denied the opportunity.
It is alleged that bank officials forcing the farmers to open accounts with a minimum deposit of Tk 1,000 with additional money taken as bribes.
“I know we as farmers can open bank account at Tk 10 only. But here we didn't get the opportunity at Chalna branch of Sonali Bank. We had to pay Tk 1,000 with additional Tk 100 to Tk 300 for which we didn't get any receipt,” Makhon Mondol of Kamarkhola Union said.
Makhon said some 862 farmers had to pay additional money as bribes to own a bank account.
Haran Mondol who opened a bank account with the same branch on August 9 echoed Makhon Mondol.
Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) M Doulutuzzaman Khan terming it unfortunate said "We'll take action against those who are realising additional money apart from charging farmers Tk 1000 for opening account instead of Tk 10."
However, M Ibrahim Hossain, manager of Chalna branch of Sonali Bank denied the allegation of receiving extra money and claimed that they did not get the Bangladesh Bank (BB) circular at that time.
A BB senior official said they would look into the matter and action would be taken if the allegation is proved.
The government and the central bank were widely lauded for the decision to allow farmers to open bank accounts with a deposit of Tk 10.
Earlier, BB had directed the state-owned commercial and specialised banks to allow farmers to open accounts with an initial deposit of Tk 10 to enable them to get government subsidies without hassle.
In the circular issued on January 17 last year, BB said the banks must do away with the condition of keeping a minimum balance for farmers' accounts. They must not charge fees for their services either.
Any farmer can open such accounts showing national ID card or birth registration certificate or the card issued by the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Meanwhile, the villagers in Dacope have been facing trouble in withdrawing the government-released fund for Aila victims amid allegations that the Union Parishad members are demanding bribes for releasing the second phase fund.
“Tk 20,000 was allocated from the Prime Minister's fund for each family affected by Aila and they had already received Tk 12,000 in the first phase and they will get Tk 8,000 in the second phase,” the UNO of Dacope said.
“Investigation is on in this regard and the corrupt members will not be involved in disbursing the second phase fund.”