Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, raising serious concern over an alleged incident at a rural bank branch in Odisha’s Kendujhar district.
In his letter dated May 2, Patnaik referred to an April 27 episode at the Malliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank, where a tribal man, identified as Jitu Munda, was allegedly compelled to produce proof of his sister’s death under extreme circumstances to access pending dues.
According to the communication, the man had made multiple visits to the bank but did not receive adequate assistance or clarity from officials. The situation escalated when he was reportedly asked to provide physical evidence, leading to widespread outrage.
Patnaik criticised what he described as an “inhuman” approach by bank personnel and questioned the justification, citing regulatory norms. He stressed that procedures should not override basic human dignity, particularly when dealing with vulnerable communities.
In a lengthy post on X, he said: “This followed numerous unsuccessful visits to the bank where he received no assistance or clarity from officials. What is even more shocking is the bank’s attempt to justify this inhuman conduct by citing adherence to RBI guidelines. This reflects a disturbing intent by officials to hide behind procedures and abandon the very people they are meant to serve. In a democracy, rules are meant to empower citizens, not humiliate them.”
The incident has triggered strong reactions across Odisha and has also been reported by international media outlets, including the BBC and the New York Post, the BJD supremo further said.
Calling for immediate action, Patnaik urged the finance minister to fix accountability and ensure that such lapses are not repeated.
He also emphasised the need for a more compassionate and citizen-centric approach in rural banking services, especially in tribal regions.
