Thursday, 22 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
Bank chairman assures full cooperation in developmental efforts
Chief minister Trivendra Singh has asked the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to assist in the construction of the Saung dam, development of growth centres and encouraging the Gram Light scheme in the state. Responding to him, the NABARD chairman GR Chintala assured Rawat that the bank will assist in the development of the state. The duo was interacting in a meeting presided over by Rawat which was also attended by Irrigation minister Satpal Maharaj, Agriculture minister Subodh Uniyal, Cooperatives minister Dhan Singh Rawat and chief secretary Om Prakash.
Expressing gratitude for NABARD’s assistance in the state’s development, the CM said that while considerable work has been done on trout farming, there is considerable scope in poultry and mushroom cultivation in the state. He also sought the bank’s assistance in construction of the Saung dam project, development of growth centres and boosting the Gram Light scheme. Stating that the cost of the Saung dam is Rs 1,200 crore, he said that construction of this project will result in saving electricity worth Rs 90 crore annually while also ensuring gravity based drinking water supply in Dehradun for the next 60 years. The CM also expected cooperation in operating all the state’s 670 primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) as multipurpose service centres. He informed that 104 growth centres had been established in Uttarakhand so far to strengthen the rural economy and generate self-employment opportunities. These growth centres have so far done a business of about Rs six crore. He also hoped for the bank’s cooperation in further enhancing the growth centres.
Assuring all possible assistance in the state’s development, the NABARD chairman said that for development of infrastructural facilities in rural and semi-urban areas along with other development schemes, financial inclusion will be facilitated through Rural Infrastructure Development Fund and NABARD Infrastructure Fund. Talking about speedy execution of micro irrigation projects, he said that loan facility can be provided through the bank’s NIDA project in case there is fund shortage in any project. The small loan limit for cooperative banks has been increased from rs 500 crore to Rs 750 crore and if the State government requests, this limit can be extended further, said Chintala. He said that the condition of cooperative banks in Uttarakhand is better compared to other mountain states which the banks can take advantage of by securing loans from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,000 crore at a nominal interest rate. If PACS take the benefit of both NABARD schemes- multipurpose service centres and agriculture basic facility scheme, they can secure loan facility at just one per cent interest rate, he added.
Principal secretary Anand Bardhan, secretaries RK Sudhanshu, R Meenakshi Sundaram, special secretary to CM, Parag Madhukar Dhakate, NABARD chief general manager Gyanendra Mani and others were also present on the occasion.
