Eramangalam: Banks have urged the farmers at Ponnani to submit additional documents to release the money for procurement of paddy in the first stage. According to the agreement between the government and the farmers, the money should be deposited in the farmers’ bank accounts within 15 days after submitting the bill. However, the bank instructed the farmers whose names have appeared in the list to reach the bank with their PAN card, Aadhar, land tax documents and PRS documents as well as their copies and submit them along with the applications. Meanwhile, the farmers said that earlier, the money was released by verifying the copies of Aadhar card and the bank passbook.

The representatives of the Ponnani Kole Wetlands Protection Samiti alleged that the banks have demanded to submit more documents as part of their move to collect money from the farmers if the government fails to pay them. Meanwhile, the bank authorities stated that the farmers have been asked to submit the documents as per the instruction of higher officials. The authorities had decided to distribute the amount for the paddy that was procured in April following protests from the farmers.

The government owes ₹ 60 crore to the farmers for selling the paddy that was grown in the Ponnani Kole wetlands alone. They have been protesting for the delay in releasing the amount for the paddy that was procured between May and June.

The farmers of Ponnani Kole took out protest marches in front the Chavakkad ADA office demanding to distribute the money for the entire amount of paddy that was procured by the government. The protest march was inaugurated by MA Velayudhan, president of the Ponnani Kole Wetlands Protection Samiti. KA Jayanandan presided over the meeting while AT Abdul Jabbar, T Hassan and NK Satheeshan addressed the farmers.