Mangaluru: Though banks in Dakshina Kannada have distributed Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to 83,291 farmers in four years, none of them have availed any benefits. This was revealed by the officials during a review of banks’ performances here on Friday. The meeting was chaired by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Farmers, who have cards, are eligible to receive compensation in case of an accident. The MP sought response from the bank officials as to how many farmers or their family members availed this benefit. The response was embarrassing that none of the farmers have availed the benefits under KCC in the district.

“Farmers are unaware of the benefits of KCC. It is unbelievable that none of the farmers have availed benefits in four years. All banks should popularize the scheme,” the MP told bankers. He insisted that nationalized banks take necessary steps to extend financial support to farmers. “Farmers in Dakshina Kannada district are depending more on cooperative banks than nationalized banks. They do not consider nationalized banks as farmer-friendly. Since majority of farmers are engaged in cultivation of commercial crops, possibility of loss is less. Hence, nationalized banks should attract farmers to promote agriculture,” Kateel said.

The MP took bank officials to task as majority of them did not turn up at the meeting venue even 30 minutes of after the scheduled time. The district lead bank had sent notice about the meeting to all banks 10 days ago. However, out of 49 banks in the district, officials from only 21 were present, when the meet began.