The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is looking at 15-20 per cent more disbursals this financial year in Andhra Pradesh over the Rs 9,238 crore it did in 2011-12. Disbursals in the last financial year went up by 37 per cent over the previous year.

Nabard will focus on NIDA (Nabard Infrastructure Development Assistance) this year. “We have approved two plans by AP Transco and Tribal Power Company last year,” said Mr P. Mohanaiah, Nabard Chief General Manager (AP).

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he admitted that there were not many takers for this scheme. The scheme, introduced last year, allocates funds to public agencies. Allocations are done outside of Nabard's flagship RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund).

Talking about the plans for 2012-13, he said the bank would implement Livelihood Development Banking Plan and other financial inclusion schemes in 16 districts that are impacted by Left-wing movements. “The other focus area would be helping primary agriculture cooperative societies into multi-service cooperative societies. We could help 102 such PACs to offer more services to farmers and improve revenues,” he said.

Micro-finance aid

The bank refinanced Rs 1,731 crore for banks to cater to the needs of self-help groups which took a hit last year following crisis in microfinance business. This incidentally forms 73 per cent of the total investment credit given to the State during 2011-12.

However, investment credit saw a decline in two segments – commercial and cooperative banks. “The former group sought finance to meet their resource needs towards the year end and not for the purpose the funds are meant for,” the CGM said.

Performance

In 2011-12, the bank's State arm registered an outstanding business of Rs 14,261 crore (Rs 11,140 crore), showing a growth of 28 per cent.

>kurmanath@thehindu.co.in

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