BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 28th November 2025: The All India Democratic Women’s Association today submitted a memorandum to the West Tripura district administration pressing an 11-point demand aimed at curbing exploitation in the microfinance sector. As the District Magistrate was unavailable, the delegation handed over their memorandum to the Additional District Magistrate.
The association alleged that microfinance institutions (MFIs) and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have turned small loans into instruments of exploitation, particularly trapping women in cycles of debt. They pointed out that poor families are being charged exorbitant interest rates ranging from 21 to 26 percent, sometimes even higher, and urged immediate intervention.
Calling for accountability, the association demanded that the Reserve Bank of India, the central government, and the state government take responsibility to protect vulnerable communities.
Their 11-point charter calls for the enactment of laws to regulate and cap interest rates, along with the creation of a relief and rehabilitation fund for families affected by suicides or property loss due to debt. It seeks the provision of loans at 4% interest for unmarried women and female-headed households, and the expansion of government banking facilities. The memorandum demands the removal of mandatory CIBIL reports for loans up to ₹5 lakh, while urging the state government to intervene in regulating the high interest rates imposed by MFIs and NBFCs. It further insists that coercion or harassment of borrowers be treated as a punishable offense, and that Jan Dhan account holders be allowed access to loans up to ₹1 lakh. The charter also proposes the introduction of special schemes for collateral-free loans in commercial banks based on Aadhaar and address verification. Additionally, it calls for the fulfillment of promises made to indebted families during the COVID-19 period and the protection of Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards from being withdrawn from indebted working-class families.
The association emphasized that urgent reforms are needed to safeguard poor and marginalized communities from financial exploitation.
