(1.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the Allahabad Bank and learned counsel for the State.
(2.) The present writ petition has been filed for quashing the demand notice issued by the Allahabad Bank, Milkipar (Hilsa) (Annexure-9) by which the bank has required the petitioner to make payment of an amount of Rs. 78,183/- with interest relating to a loan for purchase of a power tiller.
(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner filed an application on 24.05.2008 for purchase of a power tiller pursuant to Micromode (Krishi Yantrikaran) 2008-09 Scheme, and accordingly, the Block Development Officer, Hilsa sent a letter No. 1125 dated 24.05.2008 to the District Agriculture Officer forwarding the names of the applicants including the petitioner for further action under the scheme. A loan was duly sanctioned by the Allahabad Bank and the petitioner purchased the power tiller in the year 2008 itself from M/s Viki Enterprises. In terms of the scheme, the petitioner was entitled to an amount of Rs. 60,000/- by way of subsidy which was to be remitted by the State Government to the concerned Bank for adjustment against the loan amount. The petitioner accordingly made repayment of the remaining amount of the loan. Despite requests by the petitioner, however, the Bank delayed sending the claim letter for the subsidy receivable from the State Government and finally the Bank sent its letter dated 17.06.2009 to the District Agriculture Officer requesting for payment of the subsidy amount. It is therefore submitted that the Bank acted negligently and failed to send its requisition for the subsidy within the financial year 2008-09, by reason of which the subsidy amount was not paid by the State Government.