Some loan ‘defaulters’ of Kuwait banks struggle to make ends meet

Kochi: Even as state police launched a probe into Keralites with hefty bank loan dues in Kuwait, at least some ‘accused' are struggling to make ends meet.
Rita Shibu, a nurse from Kodanad, said she returned to Kerala in 2020 following all procedures after she developed severe back pain due to continuous work during the Covid period. "During Covid, the workload was quite heavy. After I developed severe back pain, I resigned and returned. I didn't get my severance benefits, nor did I get the ex gratia amount the govt declared for those in the healthcare sector during the pandemic. I deserved a high amount since I put in that much hours during Covid. The pending loan amount was not much. I was under the impression that the money I was supposed to get may have been used to settle the dues. However, after three years, the bank contacted me about the loan. Even then, I expressed my willingness to repay a reasonable amount," said Rita, adding that she was in constant touch with the bank.
She said she is making a living by teaching from her house, even as she battles health issues and cares for her elderly parents. "Now, they are coming with grossly exaggerated numbers. I was shocked when these cheating allegations along with huge numbers were being reported," she said.
An accused in a case registered by Ernakulam rural police said he sells fish for a living and was under severe stress since TV channels flashed his name, showing a loan due of Rs 98 lakh. He claimed to have taken a loan of under Rs 20 lakh.
The Kalady native, who refused to be named, said his image was tarnished with reports about his loans. He said he was not in hiding nor had he left the country as alleged, but was selling fish when his name started to appear on TV. "I was working as an X-ray technician in Kuwait. I came to Kerala during Covid. I liked the job in Kuwait since it paid well. I wanted to go back, but couldn't. The loan amount that is being alleged now is severely inflated," he said.
Senior officials of Kuwait banks filed complaints at the police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, leading to the police registering multiple FIRs. The allegation is that while some returned to India without repaying loans, some moved to other countries.