Realising the difficulty in issuing bank loans to tribal and other communities protected under the CNT and SPT Acts, the State Government has made a move to relax them to their benefits. Chief Minister Raghubar Das hinted that some modifications would be made in the Acts in light of the suggestions which came in the Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) meeting held earlier.
Addressing bankers during 50th State level Bankers’ Committee meet on Thursday, the CM expressed concern over depriving the section from a larger banking inclusion. “It is pity to see any poor tribal who pulls rickshaw despite having acres of land with him. It is felt that provisions under CNT and SPT Acts are coming in the way of granting bank loans to them. Some proposals had come in the TAC meeting and we are looking into it. Soon the Government is going to take a suitable decision on the matter,” said Das.
Provisions of the Acts bar any lender from taking possession of the property mortgaged against the loan in case of turning defaulter. This prevents bankers from lending to tribals and in the process deprives them of desired financial access. The CM also appealed the bankers to rate small and medium scale industries at par with the big ones and improve the credit-debit ratio (CD ratio) tally for the State.
“Currently the CD ratio is 61 per cent which is not bad. But you should take it to 66-67 per cent and treat smaller borrowers equally. Taking happiness at village level is one of the priorities of the Government,” said he, adding agriculture, industry and IT as important areas. He also expressed concern over just 15 lakh KCCs issued in the State so far whereas numbers of farmers are over 40 lakh.
Das, on his part, also assured the bankers on law and order front and of the steps on providing necessary infrastructure in the capital. He said the Government was going to lay foundation stone for New Ranchi and Assembly building within a month time and security scenario would be improved in six months. He also assured for allotting plots for opening banking premises and their regional headquarters in Ranchi.
Mentioning the Prime Minister’s pet projects such as Jan-Dhan Scheme, skill development mission and Clean India Mission, the CM called on the bankers for their contribution. “Play a role in making people aware about the bank accounts opened and their uses so that their dependency on money lenders can be reduced. The Prime Minister had mentioned about this in NITI Aayog meeting also. Youths can be brought into mainstream through skill training and role of private sectors would be crucial. We are also contemplating to direct some funds of MP and MlA plan for Clean India Mission,” he added.
The CM also reiterated his plan to form a ‘CSR Trust’ in which 2 per cent of CSR fund of banks would be deposited and spent under the guidance of the Government. Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba called for spreading financial literacy among citizens and underlined the role of the banks. “The Government is taking certain decisions to provide impetus to economic development of Jharkhand and your role into this would be crucial,” said the CS. Additional Chief Secretary RS Poddar was also present on the occasion along with senior officials of various departments and banks.