Sensitisation workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee organized at Conference Hall of DAC, Namchi

Namchi, 10th February: A sensitisation workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee was organized at the Conference Hall of DAC, Namchi. A workshop on Financial Inclusion-Role of Block Level Bankers Committee (BLBC) by Reserve Bank of India, Gangtok for Block Development Officers (BDOs) of Namchi district was organized at the Conference Hall of DAC, Namchi today.
The main objective of the workshop was to sensitize the BDOs about the role of BLBC in the overall growth of the State economy. The workshop was Chaired by Mr. Anant Jain, IAS, Additional District Collector, Namchi and was attended by Shri Roshan Rai, BDO Sikkip; Shri Nim Pintso Bhutia, BDO Namchi; Shri Upendra Rai, BDO Ravangla; Shri Nilkantha Bhandari, BDO Sumbuk; Shri Mukesh Dahal, BDO Poklok Nandugaon; Shri Prem Kumar Subba, BDO Temi; Shri Yogen Syanden, BDO Namthang and Shri. T. T. Gensapa, BDO Yangang.Shri Kishore Pariyar, Chief General Manager, RBI Gangtok gave a detailed presentation on the importance of regular conduct of Block Level Bankers Committee. Meeting to the attending officials. Shri Rahul Verma, Manager; and Shri Balaji Mamilwad, Assistant Manager also attended the workshop on behalf of RBI Gangtok.
In his address, Shri 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.
Shri Pariyar explained about Priority Sector Lending (PSL), the various sectors categorized as priority sectors, and the targets and sub-targets allotted under each sector to the commercial banks. Further, the issues faced by the Agriculture and MSME sectors in availing credit from the banks were also discussed. In his concluding remarks, Shri Pariyar informed the house that due to the coordinated efforts of RBI, the Government of Sikkim and the commercial banks, the state of Sikkim has performed exceptionally in all the pillars of NSFI 2019-2024.
In the closing address, Shri Jain, Additional District Collector, Namchi appreciated the efforts of RBI Gangtok for conducting the workshop and assured support in timely conduct of BLBC and DCC meetings. Furthermore, he urged the BDOs 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.
The interactive workshop concluded with an open house discussion on issues and doubts raised by the participants.