Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission conducted a meeting with NABARD, APEX Bank, and leading banks
Banks suggested a swift action plan to provide various banking services to selected RIPA beneficiaries
Raipur, 18 August 2023//
Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Mr. Ajay Singh, and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mr. Pradeep Sharma, convened a meeting with NABARD, APEX Bank, and major banks in Naya Raipur’s State Planning Commission office on Friday. The discussion was held to extend banking services to all 300 RIPAs across the state. This move aims to empower rural entrepreneurs and SHGs with accessible banking and the availability of easy loan options within their own villages. Presently, banking facilities are available in 70 RIPAs, and efforts are underway to expand these services to more locations.
Mr. Ajay Singh proposed organising awareness camps to promote information about various banking facilities and urged collaboration between Panchayat and bank representatives for a comprehensive action plan. He emphasised the mutual benefits of bank linkage in RIPAs. Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma highlighted the ambition of village youth to establish industries at the local level and RIPA’s significant role in fostering this trend.
During the meeting, banks were briefed about ongoing activities and various services provided to the beneficiaries of RIPA. Banks suggested a swift action plan to provide various banking services via CSC, Micro ATM, and Bank Mitra to the selected beneficiaries within the RIPA. Mobile banking vans were also proposed to extend banking services to rural regions. Joint Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development, Dr. Gaurav Singh, directed the bank representatives to provide information to RIPA beneficiaries about banking services through local officers and assistance in filling out loan applications.
In a bid to reshape the rural economy, the state government has sanctioned an allocation of Rs 300 crore for enhancing fundamental infrastructure and worksheds in transforming Gauthans into Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Parks (RIPA). The state government has established 300 RIPAs, each encompassing an administrative zone equipped with banking kiosks, WiFi, and an information helpdesk detailing state government schemes.
Planning Commission member Dr. K.K. Subramaniam, Joint Secretary of Rural Development Department Dr. Gaurav Singh, Joint Director of Planning Commission Dr. Neetu Goradiya, and senior bank officials were present.
