Gandhinagar: In a concerted effort to free citizens ensnared in the cycle of usury, the Gujarat Police has initiated a special drive under the Money Borrowing Act-2011 across all cities and districts of the state, effective from June 21, 2024. This initiative, scheduled to continue until July 31, 2024, aims to curb illegal lending practices through rigorous enforcement led by senior police officials across districts.

Since its inception, the drive has resulted in the filing of 134 FIRs statewide, targeting 226 accused involved in usurious activities.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi have instructed police officers that the aim of this initiative is not merely to increase the number of complaints but to ensure that only valid complaints are registered, with strict legal actions taken accordingly. Efforts are also focused on recovering funds unjustly extorted from borrowers.

Since June 21, more than 32,000 citizens have participated in 568 Lok Darbars held across the state, using these public forums to voice their grievances to the police about their ordeals under usurers.

Furthermore, recognizing that many businesses, large and small, could access finance through the Central Government’s Swanidhi or Mudra Yojana at nominal rates and with subsidies, a lack of awareness has led people to borrow from usurers. To assist the public in accessing legitimate loans, camps will be organized in coordination with representatives from nationalized banks, cooperative banks, district industry centers, and other government departments offering loan assistance. DeshGujarat