The public sector Indian Bank celebrated the linking of one crore SHG members through 6.56 lakh SHG Groups with a cumulative lending of Rs 10,000 crore.
A glittering function was held in the city last evening in which Indian Bank CMD T M Bhasin, Executive Director B Raj Kumar and Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Managing Director Ms Mythili K Rajendran were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhasin said this unique achievement was possible through the efforts of all 2,100 branches, out of which major contribution came from 1,154 rural and semi urban branches and 45 specialized SHG financing Microsate branches across the Country.
Mr Bhasin said backward to forward linkages were being arranged by Indian Bank to the SHGs for procuring the raw materials to produce the finished goods for marketing by conducting SHG fairs across the Country.
“Space for displaying the products of SHGs has been provided in the specialised SHGs financing Microsate branches which also facilitates the SHGs in marketing their products,” he added.
Mr Bhasin said the priority sector lending of the bank has crossed Rs 36,414 crore and stood at 42.09 per cent as March 31, this year as against 40 per cent norms, thus fully complying with new Priority Sector norms.
“The agriculture lending has touched Rs 17,006 crore, which was 19.66 per cent of the total credit portfolio, as against 18 per cent prescribed norms. The direct agriculture credit touched Rs 15,835 crore,” he added.
Three Best Performing Self Help Groups were felicitated on the occasion.
A Free eye check up camp, in co ordination with Sankara Nethralaya, was also organised benefitting 500 SHG members. UNI GV AKM 1139 NNNN
