‘Bankers, govt departments should work in tandem to speed up developmental activities’

Bankers and government departments should work in partnership to ensure smooth and seamless integration of developmental activities and their effective implementation across the State, urged Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka.

She was speaking at the 174th State Level Bankers’ Committee meeting, where she advised lenders in the State to clear all the pending loan applications.

She reviewed how banks in the State performed in terms of total credit, total deposits, priority sector target achievements, under various sub-sectors, both bank-wise and district-wise. Further, she reviewed the performances of developmental schemes/government sponsored schemes in the State.

Ms. Mahadevan instructed all the bankers to onboard the National Rural Livelihoods Mission Self Help Groups/Business Correspondents (BC Sakhis) as BC Agents in all gram panchayats.

Speaking on the occasion, Surendra Babu, chief general manager, NABARD, informed the house that lenders have to promote pledge financing through electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs). He urged the need to empower farmers through e-Kisan Upaj Nidhi (e-KUN) and elaborated on the preparation of District Credit Plan (DCP) at Block, Bank and Branch Level.

According to Bhavendra Kumar, executive director, Canara Bank, all the banks in the State, as on December 31, 2025, have reported agriculture loan disbursements of ₹1,78,469 crore, as against the target of ₹2,22,203 crore, and achieved 80% of the allotted target in the third quarter. Under the MSME sector, lenders achieved 86%, while the priority sector contributed 82%. He encouraged banks in the State to continue the good work.

Vishal R., Secretary to Government (FR), Finance Department, stressed the importance of coverage of the entire eligible population under the ambit of Jan Suraksha schemes. Kaya Tripathi, regional director, RBI, emphasised the preparation of a roadmap for Financial Inclusion 2025-30.