Bhubaneswar, Feb 26 : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today appreciated the efforts of
Banks and districts for making coordinated efforts to improve lending to priority sectors.
Reviewing the performance over credit linkages with bankers, collectors and top officers
of the state government on virtual platform, Mr.Patnaik said there has been a considerable
progress in credit disbursement to priority sector during the last 2 months.
The Chief Minister said during the last review meeting held two months back, he had requested
all to go the extra mile in these crisis times and ensure adequate and timely credit supply to help
the most vulnerable sections of society and economy –farmers, women and MSMEs.
The Odisha Government, he said is always concerned to safeguard and protect the interest of
the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
The farmers, Mission Shakti groups and MSMEs are in need of credit to run and expand their business,Mr.Patnaik said adding that “ We need to support them in true letter and spirit”,
Highlighting the importance of Agriculture, MSME and Mission Shakti, the Chief Minister said for taking forward the momentum created in the last few months, the budgetary provisions for these
sectors have been substantially increased for the Financial Year 2021-22.
‘’We are also providing Interest Subvention under various schemes to reduce the interest burden
on the people and to enhance credit linkage, ” he added.
The Chief Minister said from the last meeting in December about Rs 1600 crore more has
gone to Mission Shakti groups which is about Rs 500 crore more than the annual target.
He complimented all the Banks and the district administration for this achievement and hoped
that this good work would be scaled up.
It was revealed in the meeting that the annual credit target for SHGs was Rs 3240 crore. But by January, the SHGs had already received credits over Rs 3745 crore.
Stating that credit support to Mission Shakti groups is one of the top priorities of his government,
the Chief Minister congratulated the districts of Ganjam, Balasore, Nuapada, Kandhamal and Angul
on good performance.
He also thanked Odisha Gramya Bank, Odisha State co-operative Bank, SBI, UCO Bank, and
Canara Bank for supporting the Mission Shakti groups.
He urged other banks like Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and IDBI Bank to improve their performance.
The Chief Minister specially commended Sundargarh, Sonepur, Bolangir and Kendrapara for their outstanding achievement and expected Malkangiri, Gajapati, Kalahandi and Dhenkanal to improve.
He expressed happiness that overall credit flow to MSMEs during the last two months’ time has
been satisfactory.
The MSME sector has received credits over Rs 26,000 crore which is expected to touch the
target of Rs 20,457 crore by March.
The Chief Minister asked all the districts and banks to strive hard to achieve their annual credit
targets.
Mr.Patnaik said the Union Finance Minister would be informed about the good performance of
some of the banks and award the well performing banks for the cause of Farmers, Small
Entrepreneurs and SHGs at the end of the financial year. (UNI)