Chief Secretary S Roy said that Himachal Pradesh had become 5th State in the country to implement National Food Security Act by launching” Rajiv Gandhi Ann Yojna” on 20th September, 2013. He was speaking while presiding over the 129th State Level Bankers meeting organised by Convenor UCO Bank here today.
Roy said that all families identified under under Antodaya Ann Yojna, BPL, Social Security Pension and Ann PurnaYojna would be covered under the scheme in the State.
He said that despite global fluctuations, the State economy was fast moving ahead and banks were sharing their responsibilities effectively. The State had attained a milestone on enrolment of Aadhar to facilitate Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme. The coverage of DBT transaction had far been completed in 18517 bank accounts involving benefit to the tune of Rs. 12.95 crore in the State, he added.
Chief Secretary said that he was happy to learn that the banks had disbursed fresh credit to the tune of Rs. 2783 crore registering 121 per cent achievement of quarterly targets. He said that the State was having strong network of 1678 branches out of 1337 branches were located in rural areas with 1020 ATMs. A revised road map had been prepared to cover all 16640 unbanked villaged for extension of banking services in four years period from 2013 to 2016. Roy stressed the need for expansion of banking services particularly in rural and far-flung areas so as to cover all unbanked villages.
Chief Secretary said that the banks should complete all formalities as soon as possible as per guidelines of Reserve Bank of India to make National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) a success and provide loans to unemployed youths of the state on easy terms and conditions. He directed the banks to achieve the fixed targets under various schemes sponsored by the Government of India and reach out to beneficiaries.
Arun Kaul, Chairman and Managing Director UCO Bank said that banking services in all unbanked villages should be provided using various Information & Communication Technology (ICT) models. He said that the State was having one functional FLCC in all the 12 districts and RSETIs had been made functional in 10 districts of the State.
Dr. Alok Pandey, Director, Ministry of Finance, GoI stressed on successful implementation of DBT/DBTL scheme speedily with joint efforts and coordination of all the concerned well before the prescribed time.
Dr. S.K. Nandi, General Manager UCO Bank requested all banks for achieving the targets fixed under various government sponsored schemes. Vineet Chaudhary Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, senior officers of the State and representatives of various banks were present in the meeting.
