GUWAHATI, March 17 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today called upon the nationalised banks to increase their credit-deposit ratio and play a key role in the overall development of the state.
Addressing the Special State Level Bankers� Committee meeting in the Assam Administrative Staff College here this evening, Gogoi pointed out that the credit-deposit ratio of the banks in Assam is still much lower than the national average. He expressed the view that the role of the banks should not be restricted to doing business and they should also play a major role in the overall development of the state. He hoped that all the banks would play their social responsibility in the days to come.
Gogoi pointed out that the Assam Government has been giving stress on development of agriculture and allied sectors and the banks would have to extend a helping hand in this regard. Agriculture is the backbone of Assam�s economy and the role of the banks is important for the development of the sector, he said. He also pointed out that the banks would have to play a more pro-active role in issuing Kishan Credit cards in Assam.
The Chief Minister called upon the banks to simplify the procedures of granting loans and suggested that efforts should be made by the banks to launch a financial literacy campaign. He said that the banks can explore the possibility of arranging loan recovery mela along with the loan mela.
Requesting the banks to provide financial assistance to the women�s self help groups, Gogoi said that such groups have good records of repayment of loans and they also keep their records properly, he said, adding, assistance of the banks is necessary for such groups to prosper financially.
Gogoi said that there are more than 18 lakh weavers in the state and the banks should try to provide finances to them. At this moment, the banks insist on weavers� photo identity cards to provide them loans, but the certificates given by the Handloom and Textile Department should be accepted for providing loans, he said. He also requested the banks to help the weavers in getting market links so that they can easily sell their products.
At the same time, Gogoi expressed his dissatisfaction on the role of the banks in the implementation of the National Rural Livelihood Mission .
The meeting, convened by the State Bank of India, was attended by senior officers of all the nationalised banks.
