Focus on small and medium enterprises and SHG-bank linkages
The Reserve Bank of India Governor, Dr D. Subbarao, who met the bankers and officials of the Odisha Government at Bhubaneswar on Thursday, discussed the issue of expanding banking activities in rural areas of Odisha. An RBI press release said on Thursday that the Governor discussed issues relating to opening of additional bank branches by the commercial banks in the rural areas, and also credit support to agriculture and allied sectors by the commercial banks. Progress in financial inclusion planning and delivery of assistance under the beneficiaries-oriented programmes through the electronic benefit transfer mechanism also formed part of the discussions at the meeting. Apart from this, the meeting also focussed on financing of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state, and the SHG-bank linkage programme. There was also a mention about the recovery climate in the State. Earlier, Dr Subbarao met the Odisha Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik, and discussed issues relating to growth and development of the state. On Thursday, Dr Subbarao also chaired a meeting of the Central Board of Directors of RBI in Bhubaneswar. The Central Board meets at least once every quarter. Apart from holding meetings in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and one in New Delhi after the Union Budget, the rest of the meetings are held in other State capitals by rotation. The main function of the Central Board of Directors of RBI is to provide overall direction to the Reserve Bank's affairs, the release said. Dr Anil Kakodkar, Mr M.V. Rajeev Gowda, Mr Y.H. Malegam, Mr Dipankar Gupta, Mr G.M. Rao, Ms Ela Bhatt, Dr Indira Rajaraman and Dr Najeeb Jung (all Directors) attended the meeting. The Deputy Governors, Dr K.C. Chakrabarty, Dr Subir Gokarn, Mr Anand Sinha and Mr Harun R. Khan, were also present on the occasion.
HBL
