Bank of Maharashtra, Convener of the State Level Bankers’ Committee for Maharashtra State, convened 128th meeting of SLBC on 04.09.2015 at Mumbai. Shri S. Muhnot, C & MD Bank of Maharashtra & Chairman, State Level Bankers’ Committee, Maharashtra presided over the meeting. The meeting was attended by Shri D.K. Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Marketing, Government of Maharashtra, Principal Secretaries for Finance, Minority Development, Cooperation, Directorate of Municipal Administration and Commissioner, Cooperation among other officials. Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Nagpur, General Managers of member Banks, senior executives of Reserve Bank of India, NABARD and other member Banks also attended the meeting.

The Chairman of SLBC and Chairman & Managing Director of Bank of Maharashtra, Shri S. Muhnot while welcoming the dignitaries initiated the discussions and informed the house that focus of the discussions during the meeting would be on achievements under ACP for 2015-16, Position of Kharip crop loan disbursements, Implementation of various schemes by Hon. Prime Minister under Financial Inclusion & various other important aspects related to development of the state. He informed the house that at Rs. 1,86,620 /- crore for Priority Sector, the State Annual Credit Plan for 2015-16 was at the first rank in the country.  He also informed that despite various natural calamities faced by the State during the past many seasons, the achievement of the State under ACP 2015-16 as at the end of the first quarter of the current fiscal was 36% of the annual target for total Priority Sector and that for Agriculture was also 36% of the annual target; achievement under other priority sector being 36% of the annual target. Total plan achievements including non priority sector were to the tune of 84%. About crop loan disbursements for the current season, he informed that the achievement of the State was 77% of the Kharif target which was considerably more than that during the corresponding period of the previous year at 63% showing year on year growth of 34%. He appealed all the member banks to implement various social security schemes launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister in letter and spirit.

Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Marketing observed that there was a need for availability of data to the Government officials on a real time basis. He expressed concern over the delay in passing insurance benefits to the intended beneficiaries.

Principal Secretary Cooperation, Government of Maharashtra, took district wise and bank wise review of crop loan disbursement in the State.

Principal Secretary, Directorate of Municipal Administration, Government of Maharashtra, informed the house about National Urban Livelihoods Mission and urged the bankers to treat the beneficiaries under NULM as viable commercial propositions.

Principal Secretary, Minority Development, Government of Maharashtra, reviewed the position of balances outstanding under flow of credit to the minority communities against number of accounts and felt that there was a need to review the accuracy in reporting of data.

Principal Secretary, Finance observed that weakness in banking sector if any can reflect largely on the economy and urged all concerned to take due care. He also appealed to bring any alarming happenings to the notice of the Government so that corrective measures can be taken well in time.

Chief General Manager, NABARD informed about various initiatives by NABARD and appealed the bankers to approach NABARD for support in arranging workshop for increasing awareness.

Shri L.M. Deshmukh, General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra & Convener, SLBC, Maharashtra piloted agenda wise discussions.

Shri C.B. Arkatkar, Dy. General Manager, Bank of Maharashtra & Member secretary, SLBC, Maharashtra proposed vote of thanks.