National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Sikkim, organised the State Credit Seminar 2023 for the state of Sikkim on 22nd March,2023 at Gangtok.Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and V.B. Pathak, Chief Secretary, Sikkim were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively.
During the course of the seminar, sanction letters for projects worth Rs 1.62 crore were distributed among SHGs, FPOs, MPCS.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, released the ‘State Focus Paper: 2023-24 prepared by NABARD on the occasion of ‘State Credit Seminar’. The document estimated a potential of Rs.958.565 crore for credit flow to priority sector in the state for the year 2023-24.
The document also estimated a potential of Rs.370.66 crore towards agriculture loans covering farm credit, agri-infrastructure and agri-ancillary activities. He congratulated Team NABARD Sikkim for bringing out the State Focus Paper and organizing the State Credit Seminar.
The Chief Minister applauded NABARD on the developmental initiatives that NABARD has undertaken in the state. He appreciated NABARD’s efforts to collaborate with the Government of Sikkim in a broader way. He urged the bankers for simplifying and making the loan process hassle free. He also appealed people of the State for proper utilisation of loan facility.
V.B.Pathak, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim appreciated the efforts made by NABARD for support towards rural infrastructure creation and other developmental interventions. He specifically appreciated the efforts of NABARD in augmenting the flow of rural credit, sustainable development of tribal families, supporting SHG movement in the state, strengthening of the cooperatives and undertaking marketing initiatives. He also requested bankers to make concerted efforts to translate the exploitable potential into bankable projects.
Avinash Khare, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, appreciated the role of NABARD in rural development in the state. He highlighted the important role of research and innovative projects in the developmental landscape. He expressed the need for collaboration among all the stakeholders for achieving the desired results.
Kishore Pariyar, CGM & OIC, Reserve Bank of India, Sikkim, while highlighting the comparative position of Sikkim against national average for some important banking parameters appreciated the role of bankers in achieving the progress. He also highlighted need for improvement in the internet connectivity for facilitating digital payments..
Earlier, Sanjay Kumar Gupta, General Manager and OIC, while delivering his opening remarks, highlighted the credit potential of the state along with the various developmental initiatives undertaken and grant and credit support provided by NABARD in the state. He also underlined the major elements of NABARD Sikkim’s priorities for the year 2023-24 and stressed on the need for coordination, cooperation and collaboration among all the stakeholders to achieve synergy and multiplier effect.
Virendra Singh, Deputy General Manager, SLBC thanked NABARD for accessing the credit potential of the State and bringing out State Focus Paper. He highlighted the efforts made by banks in increasing credit flow in the priority sectors.
