Gangtok, Nov 17: The 69th State Level Bankers’ Committee Meeting for the Sikkim State with the theme “Atmanirbhar Sikkim through Financial Inclusion” was held on 16/11/2020 at Hotel Mayfair Resorts & Spa. The meeting was chaired by Shri L N Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Information and Public Relations Department. It also saw the presence of The Chief Secretary, Shri S C Gupta, IAS, Deputy Managing Director, SBI, Shri S Salee from Corporate Centre Mumbai, Smt Ruma Dey, Chief General Manager, Local head Office, Kolkata, Shri Kishore Pariyar, GM-cum – OiC, RBI, Dr. Diwakar Hegde, GM – cum – OiC, NABARD, Shri A K Mahakul, GM-III, SBI & SLBC Convenor. The meeting was also attended by top functionaries from the Banks as well as the State Government Department. The meeting was held to review the progress of Banks under Annual Credit Plan 2021-2022 for the quarter ended on 30th September, 2021. The CGM, SBI Smt Ruma Dey in her welcome address informed about the Financial Inclusion activities of the Banks in the State and also briefed on the CD ratio and Priority Sector Lending in the State. She further added that The State Government under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri P S Tamang (Golay) has been instrumental in the economic development of the State by providing full support and cooperation to the Banks. As a result of which every citizen of the State is being benefitted. The DMD, SBI, Shri S Salee,in his address informed about the network of bank branches in the State and various work being done by the banks in the State. He also said that Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of the State and Shri L N Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Govt of Sikkim, The Agriculture Department launched a campaign on the theme “Development through Credit” as a result of which Agriculture lending has tremendously increased from 6.87% in the First Qtr to 30% in the 2nd Qtr. Similarly, the Commerce and Industries Department, under the guidance of Shri B S Panth, Hon’ble Minister, has also launched an employment generation programme “Skilled Youth Startup Scheme”, wherein 35% - 50% back ended subsidy is being extended by the Government of Sikkim.He also spoke on the various MoUs being signed between the State Government and the Banks for the promotion of Agriculture, MSME as well as in the Social Security Sectors. The GM-cum-OiC NABARD, Dr Diwakar Hegde informed that the potential of WSHG credit linkage in the state. He said that almost 50% of the Women Self Help Groups had been credit linked so far and there was still potential to Credit link the rest 50%. Shri H K Sharma, Secretary Commerce and Industries Department saidthat the banks had been instrumental in the implementation of Skilled Youth Start Up Scheme in the State and appreciated the work being done by the Banks. The Chairman of the SLBC Steering Committee, Shri Kishore Pariyar (GM OiC, RBI Gangtok) presented an insightful report on the performance of the banks in the State and also placed proposals before the forum for accelerating the pace of Financial Inclusion and effective credit delivery to the needy sectors for achievement of Atma Nirbhar Sikkim. The proposals were, that the targets set for banks through the ACP should be more realistic and at least 10,000 new KCC should be issued by them before March 2022, creation of a database of MSMEs for Sikkim and Udhyam registration of at least 10,000 of these MSMEs units. The Chief Secretary, Shri S C Gupta, IAS,said that the State Government will look into all the requests put forward by the Banks and also said that there needs to be further improvement in the CD ratio by the banks to a minimum of 45%. The Chief Guest for the Meeting, Hon’ble Minster Agriculture, Horticulture, AH&VS and Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim in his address stated that the involvement of banks has remarkably improved during the past few years. He suggested the banks to be more considerate while considering credit proposals especially in the Agriculture & Allied Activities Sector. He particularly urged the private sector banks to improve their lending in the priority sector like Agriculture & MSME. He also suggested he banks to extend the network of banking outlets in the remotest parts of the State as well. He said that everyone should be covered with alteast one banking facility in the State and awareness about various policies and Social Security Schemes of the Government like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana should be made among the masses. He appreciated the active involvement of State Bank of India in all the State Government Campaigns and also sought the same kind of cooperation from the other banks as well. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks by GM-III, SBI & Convenor – State Level Bankers’ Committee, Shri A K Mahakul