During a review meeting held here, Dhenkanal district Collector Rupa Roshan Sahoo expressed grave concern over low disbursement of loan (40 per cent) for agricultural sector.
Sources said even though the banks were given target to release Rs853 crore loan in agriculture sector before March 31 last, but significantly, the banks, defying the Government order, only have released Rs355 crore. Besides, the banks have only disbursed loan to 10,967 Self Help Groups (SHGs) though 11,767 SHGs were identified for financial help in the district.
However, Additional Chief Secretary (finance) Upendra Nath Behera has announced in a review meeting that the Government will take all possible steps to open banks where banking facility is not available yet, within two years.