A CORRESPONDENT
DIGBOI: Acting sternly against the alleged act of illegal lending in some parts of the Changlang District in Eastern Arunachal, DC Changlang Suny K Singh, in his e-order via judicial notification No.C/JUD-06/2000 dated August 9, 2023, initiated steps to curb the menace from across the district on Wednesday.
The notification issued to this effect states, “Whereas, a complaint has been forwarded by EAC, Diyun, vide letter no. DYN/JUD-01/2023 in connection with the illegal lending of money to the tune of Rs. 10,000 each by one Maulin Agan to gullible villagers mainly belonging to the Hajong Community. Whereas, a copy of the loan deed agreement administered between the lender and borrower has also been forwarded by EAC Diyun, which prima face appears incomplete, misleading, and in contravention of Sections 4 and 5 (1) of The Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2018.”
The e-order further warns that any individual or entity found to be indulged in illegal lending without a valid licence and without following other norms as mandated under relevant provisions of The Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2018 would be prosecuted as per Section 41(c)(i) of the aforesaid Act.
Meanwhile, taking serious note of the matter under consideration, the copy of the order reads, ‘And Whereas, as per reliable sources, such illegal and dubious lending of money without valid licence to gullible villagers may amount to the trafficking of children from the area considering the past incidents involving trafficking in the Diyun area’,’There has been the possibility that such dubious lenders may act with the intent of subjecting innocent borrowers to the trap of human trafficking in case recovery is defaulted, which may not be totally ruled out in the present case’, added the notification.
‘In view of the above points and in order to prevent any kind of illegal lending activity in Diyun area and other parts of Changlang district, the following directions are hereby issued for the strict compliance of all concerned:
‘MaulinAgan is directed to stop any further lending in Changlang district and must furnish his money lending licence to ADC, Bordumsa, latest by August 14, 2023, failing which necessary action will be initiated against him as per Section 41(c)(i) of The Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2018 which may amount to imprisonment of either description, which may extend to five years, or with a fine, which may extend to Rs 5 lakh, or with both. Secondly, a committee is hereby constituted with ADC-Bordumsa as Chairman, EAC-Diyun as member, and FAO-DC office Changlang as member with immediate effect to examine this matter in detail, mainly keeping in view the provisions of The Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2018, and must submit its report along with the recommendation concerned with registration of cases and imposition of penalties latest by August 14, 2023. Meanwhile, the top bureaucrat of the district also instructed the administrative officials to keep strict vigil in their respective jurisdictions to deter any illegal lending activity that violates the provisions of The Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Act, 2018.
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