Chief Minister Chairs the 182nd State Level Bankers’ Committee Meeting in Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar : Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel has urged banks to accelerate the processing of loans for beneficiaries, including small traders and farmers, under schemes where the government acts as a guarantor. The CM stated that in programs like PM SVANidhi, which supports small traders and street vendors, and Kisan Credit for small farmers, the government provides the guarantee. Hence, banks should not have concerns about loan security. In his address at the 182nd State Level Bankers’ Committee meeting in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel also urged bankers to speed up the rollout of credit card schemes for livestock owners and fishermen.

The Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has introduced welfare schemes aimed at integrating the poor and marginalized into the mainstream. He emphasized that bankers have a crucial role in the success of these initiatives. The Chief Minister also urged bankers to facilitate easier and more substantial loans for startups led by young entrepreneurs. The Chief Minister stated that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Gujarat has become a growth engine for India. During the Amrit Kaal, Gujarat must lead by evolving into Viksit Gujarat and contributing to Viksit Bharat by 2047. To achieve this, the state government has developed a unique roadmap for 2047, centred on two key pillars: ‘Earning Well’ and ‘Living Well.’ The Chief Minister also stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, as envisioned by the Prime Minister, can only be realized when every person is integrated into the economy. The CM said he expects banks to contribute to creating Viksit Gujarat and extend financial inclusion benefits to as many people as possible.

On this occasion, Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar mentioned that Gujarat aims to achieve a $3.5 trillion economy by 2047, in line with the Viksit Bharat vision. He stated that banks will play a crucial role in this goal and urged the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) to contemplate how banks can contribute more significantly to building a strong and dynamic financial system that supports the national economy. He also requested banks to support small traders and businesses in quickly recovering from the recent flood disaster. Additionally, he suggested that banks work to increase the credit ratio in areas with currently low access and expand banking services in Aspirational Districts to improve beneficiary coverage and enhance the benefits of various schemes. The Chief Secretary further stated that SLBC meetings should include a comprehensive review of schemes, incorporating the state government’s recommendations into their implementation. He also mentioned that bankers should advance financial inclusion in key schemes for small and ordinary citizens, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana.

The SLBC Chairman and Executive Director of Bank of Baroda, Shri Lal Singh, and the CGM of the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Office, Smt. Nisha Nambiar presented the meeting agenda. They advocated for achieving scheme-related goals through the collaboration of the state government and banks. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Dr Jayanti Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department; Shri S.J. Haider, Additional Chief Secretary of Energy; Shri Natarajan, Principal Secretary of Finance; along with senior state government secretaries, NABARD General Manager Shri Somainder Singh, SLBC Convener Shri Ashwini Kumar, CGMs, and officials from various banks.
 

Source: Information Department, Gujarat