Maha Brahmin Bank depositors threaten suicide

Controversy over the claims of 30,000 depositors of Maharashtra Brahmin Sahakari Bank (MBSB) has taken a new twist.

With the Deposit Insurance Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICCC), Mumbai, delaying the clearance of cases, depositors have threatened to commit suicide.

The depositors have sent a message in this regard to the corporation officials. The letter sent to the claim officers reads, "in case, demand draft for claims already finalised does not reach the liquidator latest by Monday, the DICCC, Mumbai will be held responsible for any suicide on account of non-receipt of the claims by any depositors".

Depositors, who have around Rs 55 crore stuck in the bank, are striving hard to get their money back as the bank's board of directors stopped the withdrawal quoting financial crisis.

Most of the depositors are retired people, who have deposited their gratuity and provident fund with the hope that they would get back it when required.

"Many depositors are suffering because of depriving of payment and are unable to take care of their finances," said S S Pawar, the vice president, Maharashtra Brahmin Sahkari Bank Amanatdar Sangharsh Samiti.

After a year long struggle, the depositors are annoyed over the inordinate delay in settling their claims by DICCC officials.

"Earlier, we were told that a demand draft of Rs 41 crore would reach at bank or the liquidator by June 7, but now DICCC officials are denying the claims saying that they would have to first complete some formalities," said S K Tiwari, president of the Samiti.