A Thiruvalla-native has claimed that he was denied a loan by a cooperative bank controlled by the CPM as his property is part of a survey number that falls under the SilverLine project.
The applicant, Sali, told Manorama News that the Kunnamthanam Service Co-operative Bank, which is run by the CPM, the major constituent of the ruling LDF, denied an add-on of Rs 5 lakh as he is likely to be affected by the project.
According to Sali, the bank secretary after turning down his request had said they need to seek a legal opinion before taking a call. However, it has been two months and the bank is yet to respond, Sali has alleged.
It is understood that Sali's property is about half-a-kilometre from the expected alignment for the semi high-speed railway project.
However, the bank was allegedly skeptical about providing the loan as survey numbers in the locality have been listed by the Revenue Department.
The incident has come to light at a time when the state's Minister for Co-operation, VN Vasavan said action will be taken on banks that deny loans to parties who are set to be affected by the SilverLine land acquisition.
"In fact, a property falling under the SilverLine alignment is a good reason for banks to provide loans," Vasavan said.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan has urged the state government to tell the banks to not deny loans to those likely to be affected by the SilverLine project.