Secy DFS chairs 12th ‘UT-Level Bankers Committee’ meet

Srinagar, Dec 04: Implement and popularize PM Vishwakarma Scheme to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools so that they take advantage of the comprehensive scheme, which is one of the stepping stones in realising the all important milestone of Prime Minister’s Vision to see India as a developed country by 2047.
This was stated by Secretary DFS, MoF (GoI), Dr Vivek Joshi while chairing the 12th Meeting of J&K UTLBC at SKICC, Srinagar here.
The meeting reviewed the performance of banks in delivery of credit under various schemes during the half year ended September 2023 and a special focus was given to the implementation of PM Vishwakarma scheme in J&K.
MD & CEO J&K Bank- Convenor J&K UTLBC- Baldev Prakash, Principal Secretary, Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Regional Director, RBI Kamal P. Patnaik, Chief General Manager NABARD Bhallamudi Sridhar, General Manager, RBI Sandeep Mittal, representatives of MSME, MSDE and MEITY, Commissioner Secretaries to Government, and other senior functionaries of the Government, RBI, NABARD, Banks, Departmental Heads of J&K Government, insurance companies and Lead District Managers were present on the occasion.
Dr Vivek Joshi said, “I am here to impress upon you all that PM Vishwakarma is an ambitious programme of the Union Government. With its primary focus on quality, the scheme has been devised in such a way that it could well serve as a template for all upcoming schemes of the Central and State Governments.”
“Targets set for this scheme are very much achievable and J&K has potential to take this scheme forward. Bankers and line departments have a huge role to play to ensure that all the eligible Vishwakarmas avail benefits under the scheme and contribute to their self-sufficiency, improved productivity besides the Nation’s self-reliance,” he added.
“I also urge UTLBC and Lead District managers to keep monitoring the progress under various flagship schemes being implemented through banks. All bankers should whole heartedly commit themselves to achieve saturation of all eligible persons under social security schemes”, he further said.
Earlier, Additional Secretary (Ministry of MSME) Dr Rajneesh gave an exhaustive presentation on the coverage, benefits and processes involved in availing the finance under PM Vishwakarma scheme.
“Pitching for Aadhar enabled payments by March 2024, Principal Secretary Finance urged the Government departments and banks to utilise digital platforms of Government of India for 100% KCC saturation. “The focus need to shift from digitally-enabled to digitally active accounts.”
“Developed Mind-set and Developed Skill-set are pre-requisites for becoming a developed Nation. And that is where this PM Vishwakarma assumes great importance and needs to be implemented with diligence and sufficiency”, said Regional Director, RBI, Kamal P. Patnaik
In his welcome address, Convenor UTLBC MD & CEO Baldev Prakash hailed DFS Secretary’s painstaking concerns in implementation of Government schemes across the country. He also appreciated the policy making efforts of DFS in orchestrating India’s successful journey towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
He also expressed gratitude to recently retired J&K Chief Secretary Dr AK Mehta for his contribution as administrative head of the UT in ensuring successful implementation of various government schemes in J&K.
Earlier General Manager J&K Bank, Syed Rais Maqbool while making presentation on the financial achievements of various banks in different sectors during the first half year ended September 2023 informed that banks in J&K have achieved 75% of the Annual Target under ACP by disbursing credit of Rs.38,909 Crore to 12,19,877 beneficiaries which included Rs.21,796 Crore disbursed to 6,87,338 beneficiaries under Priority Sector and Rs.17,113 Crore to 5, 32, 539 beneficiaries under Non-Priority Sector.
The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks presented by Sudhir Gupta Executive Director J&K Bank.