Press Release

A workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee was organized at the Conference Hall of DAC

Information & Public Relations Department

Date: 01-Feb-2023
Soreng, 31 January (IPR): A workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee (BLBC) was organized at the Conference Hall of DAC, Soreng today.
Organized by the Reserve Bank of India (Gangtok), the workshop cum meeting had the attendance of DC Soreng, Shri Bhim Thatal, ADC Soreng, Shri Dhiraj Subedi, , ADC (Dev), Shri Gaayas Pega, Chief General Manager (RBI), Shri Kishore Pariyar, SDM (HQ), Shri D.R Bista, Manager (RBI/Gangtok) cum Lead District Officer for Soreng, Shri Rahul Verma along with the BDOs and other line department Officers.
CGM (RBI), Shri Kishore Pariyar gave an in-depth presentation with regard to the aims and objectives of the workshop which was to generate awareness about the financial inclusion and financial literacy and role of Block level Bankers Committee at the grassroot level including sensitization of BDOs. He informed that BLBC acts as a forum for coordination and joint implementation of development programmes and policies by all the financial institutions operating in a State at block level. He added that it is also responsibility of BLBC to discuss on operational issues in the implementation of credit programmes of banks. He urged the officials at the block level to ensure that each individual has access to banking and other financial services.
Furthermore, Shri Pariyar highlighted the importance of digitization of all financial transaction and services. He said that one of the main responsibilities of SLBC is to conduct surveys in the village falling in their service area taking into consideration the infrastructure and market potential of the area. Based on the survey findings, they must compile realistic plan for each bank branch operating in a block and thus, the district credit plan should be drawn up on the basis of updated village profile realistic projections, he added.
In his concluding remarks, he urged the stakeholders to conduct such surveys cum meetings at quarterly intervals in order to achieve positive and fruitful results.
DC, Shri Bhim Thatal also provided some insightful learnings and suggestions. He spoke about the importance of following basic attributes of Knowledge, Skill and Attitude in providing better services. He advised the BODs to ensure that the people at the grass root level are being governed adequately and are availing their rightful benefits. He reminded them to organize financial literacy programs or workshops in co-ordination with the financial institutes at their respective blocks to bring about more financial awareness amongst the community.
Furthermore, he urged them to conduct BLBC meeting on the required intervals to achieve timely conduct of District Level Bankers Committee followed by State Level Bankers Committee meeting as per the mandate of RBI.
Additionally, the DC appraised the necessity to improve the existing Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCC) and said that focus must also be given to both farmers and banking sectors. He also highlighted some of the community specific schemes which are currently being implemented for Soreng as an aspirational district.
The interactive workshop concluded with an open house discussion on issues and doubts raised by the participants