Odisha Channel Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The focus paper for Odisha projecting an overall credit potential for the State under priority sector at Rs. 66,554.51 crore for the year 2017-18 was released at the State Credit seminar for 2017-18 that NABARD organised here on Friday.
The seminar was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi. It was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary R. Balakrishnan and other dignitaries.
In his welcome address, K. C. Panigrahi, Chief General Manager of NABARD said that the process of preparation of District level PLP, State level credit potential and conduct of State Credit Seminar is being undertaken by NABARD every year in all districts and States of the country since 1989.
The document assesses infrastructure available, planned, gaps, and is used as a referral document for planning infrastructure, credit dispensation etc. The document is well appreciated by all as it provides inputs to State government departments, various organisations/entities and banks in formulation of their policies and programmes for ensuring enhanced credit flow.
He also said that the Credit projections for Odisha for 2017-18 at Rs. 66554 crore is based on the potential assessed under various sectors and sub sectors in all agro climatic zones of the state. He solicited cooperation of State government, banks and other stake holders towards for achieving the potential.
Padhi congratulated NABARD for publishing a well-researched document. He also mentioned that Odisha is one of the leading beneficiaries of RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) loans from NABARD. The focus has to be on other allied sector activities such as animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries etc for diversification of the income basket of farmers.
Balakrishnan underlined the need to raise income of the rural households for achieving reduction of poverty in the State. As about two fifths of the population belongs to SC/ST and the occurrence of natural calamities is too frequent, the State needs tailor made policies to improve the standard of living of its people. He appreciated the efforts made by NABARD in collaboration with State Govt. in the developmental initiatives undertaken by the State.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Finance, Government of Odisha said that every year there is a mismatch between potential plans and the corporate plans. There is a need to address the structural issues and the conflicts of these plan targets are required to be addressed.
He complimented NABARD for bringing out a well written document. And taking note of the low per capita credit availability for farming, he emphasised on expansion of bank credit.
