Focus on Credit Growth for achieving CD Ratio: Pharka

Shimla, September 28, 2017: Regular decline in Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio in Himachal Pradesh should be the matter of concern for all especially the banks. Chief Secretary Shri V.C Pharka said this while presiding over the 145th meeting of State level Bankers Committee, here today.

He asked the banks for giving focus on credit in both priority and non priority sectors. He emphasised on liberal loaning in agriculture & horticulture sectors, which were the major areas of state economy.

It was apprised that total credit as on 30th June, 2017 was Rs.44709 lakh and deposits were Rs.100643 lakh, which calculates the overall CD Ratio at 44.87 percent.

Under financial inclusion campaign, banks had covered all households in the State with at least one saving account. It was informed that total 10.16 lakh basic saving accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna were functional. Banks issued 7,72,627 Rupay Cards upto June, 2017 and total 8,83,992 PMJDY accounts were seeded with Aadhar number in the State and coverage was 87 percent.

It was informed that under Atal Pension Yojna (APY), there were 38,872 subscribers in the State and the pace of enrolments was rather slow. Under the scheme, the subscriber would receive a minimum of guaranteed monthly pension of Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years depending upon the contribution.

Shri Pharka said the growth fundamental were quite strong as the per capita income of the State has gone up to Rs. 1,47,277 which is Rs. 93,293 at the national level. The State Government was emphasising on further expansion in various sectors like tourism, food processing, micro, small and medium industries and information technology for encouraging development.

He expressed his concern over the pending insurance claims under social security schemes. He directed that time period should be fixed to clear such tiny nature of claims which could be a great relief to the poor. He asked the banks to ensure cent-percent seeding of account numbers with Aadhar which has been made mandatory and the last date fixed as 31.12.2017.

The Chief Secretary said that the State Government was proactively encouraging use of digital platform for making payment in the bank accounts thereby creating conducive environment for cashless societies. Government was encouraging payment under the Direct benefit transfer scheme through the Aadhhar Enabled payment bridge to promote digital transactions. He urged the banks to take up massive awareness campaign for promoting cash-less payments.

It was revealed that ‘Mudra promotion’ awareness camp will be organised at Shimla on 4th October, 2017.

Additional Chief Secretary Finance, Dr. ShriKant Baldi stressed the need to achieve advances para metres for women and weekar section of the society. He asked the banks for massive financial awareness campaign so that maximum people could get benefit of government sponsored and banking schemes. He asked the KCC Bank to pay added attention in issuing Rupay Cards.

Managing Director & CEO of UCO Bank Shri R.K. Takkar in his key note address informed that total banking business in the State had crossed Rs. 1.35 lakh crore. He said banks have disbursed fress credit of Rs. 4799 crores to total 139791 new units during the quarter ended June, 2017. He informed that State has total branch network of 2130 branches and 2063 ATMs. He said banks were extending its services in the rural areas through Bank Mitras.

Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India Shri Amar Nath asked the bank to pay thrust on financial inclusion campaign at ground level so that out reach of banking services could be extended to the last mile.

CGM NABARD Shri Kishan Singh said that doubling the income of farmers by 2022 needs coordinated efforts by all stake holders.

General Manager UCO Bank Shri U.C. Sharma welcomed the chief guest and others while DGM Shri Vivek Kaul presented vote of thanks.