Public Works Minister and Belagavi district in-charge Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday said that around 15,000 women who availed themselves of loans from a microfinance company have been duped and a team of three police officers has been formed to investigate the matter.

Speaking to presspersons in Belagavi on Tuesday, Mr. Jarkiholi said that the women took loans with the hope that they will get a good amount but they have been duped.

According to preliminary information, the scam runs into around ₹100 crore. So, the police team has been formed to thoroughly investigate and bring the culprits to book, he said and added that middlemen who convinced the women to apply for loans promising a good amount will be taken into custody and questioned.

Already, directions have been issued to the microfinance company not to harass the women over repayment, he said.

On the death of the contractor in Bhalki, he said that during the BJP’s rule, contractor Santosh Patil directly named the then Minister K.S. Eshwarappa in his note. However, in the Bhalki case, there has been no mention of Minister Priyank Kharge’s name.

“Truth will automatically come out once investigation is completed. Just because of the BJP protest, a Minister cannot be asked to tender his resignation,” he said.

Regarding the issue of solid waste management in Belagavi, he said that he has already suggested setting up four units for waste segregation and disposal and soon, a meeting will be convened to resolve the issue.

MLA Asif (Raju) Sait was present.