Das warns banks over laxity in providing loans to poor

Terming banks and financial institutions a catalyst for inclusive growth, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has called for thorough implementation of the schemes meant for the poorer sections of society.

Holding a high-level meeting with controlling heads of banks operating in the State on Thursday, the Chief Minister also sent out a tough message against lethargy of any kind. "The Government is implementing schemes related to the poor on a priority basis but expected support is not coming from the banks. Complaints about beneficiaries not getting their dues on time despite the money getting released keep coming which is not proper. The Government is not ready to tolerate callousness of any kind on this front," said the Chief Minister during the meeting attended by a host of zonal heads and general managers on Friday. 

He also went specific and mentioned about blockages reported in the smooth implementation of the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana (PMAY) wherein several instances of people having not been paid their dues for constructing houses for long have been received. This has been identified as a major roadblock in achieving targets of the scheme in the State while the banks tender shortage of money as a reason behind that.

"This is totally unacceptable. This should not happen in future. We want to ensure that wherever any beneficiary comes he should be given entire amount so that he can complete his house on time. Similarly, for Aadhaar seeding the banks should depute nodal officers at headquarters and district levels so that the task is completed in a speedy manner," instructed the Chief Minister.

At the same time, he also told bankers to prioritise women self-help groups or Sakhi Mandals underlining their role in promoting income generation. "Support of banks is paramount for them to work. They are in need of smaller loan and they also return on time.

Open ATM at every panchayat building or put in place a system so that they need not visit banks for making withdrawals every now and then. Often complaints about hardship in getting old age pension and widow pension come in.

The banks should be more sensitive to the poor and marginalised," said Das, while directing officials to act tough against the erring banks and also report about this through the 'CM Jan Samvad' forum.

Das underlined need of financing in making people independent and told the banks to do away with suspicious mindset often playing deterrent in promoting self-employment He also referred to lesser number of defaulters in Mudra loan and sought a list of wilful defaulters that would be sent to concerned DCs for action and recovery. Development Commissioner Amit Khare, Addl Chief Secretary with Finance Dept Sukhdev Singh, Principal Secretary to CM Sunil Kumar Barnwal, other officials were also present.