Latest news with #PreventionofCoerciveActions
India Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu farmer dies by suicide after harassment by loan recovery agents
A 55-year-old farmer in Tamil Nadu's Salem district died by suicide, following alleged harassment by loan retrieval agents. His death came just two days after the state Assembly passed a Bill to curb coercive recovery a resident of Thukkiyampalayam near Vazhapadi in the district, had borrowed Rs 4.80 lakh from a private bank, pledging his land as collateral. He was reportedly confronted by the bank's loan retrieval agents on Tuesday for having defaulted on an April 10 instalment. According to his family members, the agents behaved aggressively and refused to grant him any extension to repay the men came and asked for money. He had two days' time earlier but as he couldn't get the money, he asked for more time. But the two guys refused to leave and demanded the money,' said a relative of Vadivelu, who witnessed the exchange. 'Even I requested them to leave, saying that if we had money, we would have given it but they asked me to either pay or be quiet so I left from the place.' 'I saw them keep asking him again and again. They were repeatedly telling him to give the money, and do other work and didn't let him leave,' the relative added. Later that day, Vadivelu reportedly consumed pesticide and died. His death triggered unrest in the village, with residents demanding justice and initially refusing to accept his body. In response, Vazhapadi Police detained the manager of the private bank for questioning. Only after this development did Vadivelu's relatives agree to accept the incident comes close on the heels of the state Assembly passing the Tamil Nadu Money Lending Entities (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill earlier this week. The Bill, introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, aims to prohibit aggressive loan recovery methods by private moneylenders and recovery in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin had said that unethical recovery processes were becoming common and that such harassment had already pushed many to suicide and destroyed families. The new legislation provides for stringent action against those found guilty of such practices. Under the Bill, if a borrower dies by suicide due to harassment, the responsible party may be charged with abetment to suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Police have initiated further investigation into the circumstances of Vadivelu's death.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
18 bills adopted, Tamil Nadu Assembly adjourned sine die
CHENNAI: The Assembly on Tuesday adopted 18 bills, including the Tamil Nadu Money Lending Entities (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill, 2025. Bills that propose to establish a university in the name of former CM M Karunanidhi, punish those who dump medical waste in the state under the Goondas Act, nomination of persons with disability in all local bodies, replace the powers of the governor-chancellor with that of the government in the appointment and removal of V-C of the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University were also adopted, among others, after scrutiny. During the consideration of the Tamil Nadu Money Lending Entities (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Bill, 2025, AIADMK MLA Agri S S Krishnamurthy suggested that if microloans are provided to the needy through cooperative banks and societies, people would not go to individuals who demand high interests. Also, national banks do not give loans without pledging anything. The government should ensure microloans through national banks also. T Velmurugan (TVK) said the law should be amended to punish those who coerce school and college students to repay their educational loans. M Chinnadurai (CPM) said unregistered chit companies should also be included in the list of loan-providing entities in the bill. The cooperative banks and district banks should be merged to establish a Tamil Nadu Bank to provide loans to the needy. T Ramanchandran (CPI) and K Selvaperunthagai (Congress) also participated in the discussion. In response, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin said the suggestions of the members would be considered. He also said the word 'bank' in Section 2 of the bill could be removed by an advisory from the RBI. During the discussion on the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, T Velmurugan (TVK) said that in the coming days, a legislation should be introduced to facilitate the CM appointing V-Cs instead of the governor. Also, the state government should establish a Siddha university. During the discussion on the bill to punish those dumping medical waste in Tamil Nadu under the Goondas Act, S S Balaji (VCK) said similar action should be taken against those dumping hazardous waste also. During the discussion on the Kalaignar University Bill, 2025, M H Jawahirullah (MKK) said that deemed universities should be brought under the control of the higher education department. M Sinthanai Selvan (VCK) said the new university should undertake research in linguistics and research on marginalised sections. During the discussion on the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Agri S S Krishnamurthy (AIADMK) said this legislation would affect the shops and establishments unless the proposed penalties are reduced. S S Balaji (VCK) said that in the name of ease of doing business, merely imposing penalties without punishment for crimes relating to child labour, young workers, etc, would go against the working class. Nagai Maalai (CPM) said Section 46A, which goes against the workers' interests, should be removed. Labour Welfare Minister CVe Ganesan said the amendment has been made in a way that it does not affect either employers or workers. The amendment will strengthen chapter 9 of the legislation, which is already in force. The budget session of the Assembly, which began on March 14, concluded on Tuesday. Speaker M Appavu adjourned the House proceedings sine die. In his concluding remarks, he gave a detailed account of the key bills adopted during this session important resolutions adopted.
