Karnataka has more than 90 lakh bank-linked self-help groups (SHGs) and nearly 80 per cent among them are led by women with more than nine crore members, said G.R. Chintala, Chief General Manager, Nabard-Karnataka.
Interacting with self help group members of Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) at Dharwad, Chintala urged the bankers to distribute loans liberally to members of women self-help groups (SHGs) and joint liability groups (JLGs) so that they could achieve economic independence.
He asked the bankers to sanction loans without any inhibition so that the women below the poverty line could be brought up in the ladder of economic progress.
Women SHG members should be given priority while starting bank accounts. He also sought the assistance of the representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGO) to enable the members repay their loans without fail. Then only the banks would come forward to disburse loans to all SHGs, he added.
SHGs have been playing a pivotal role in making women economically strong along with making them self-reliant.
“They (SHGs) were started with the main objective of liberating women from the shackles of economic and social bondage and equipping them with the capacity to make independent decisions for which economic freedom was vital,” he explained.
Chintala said that Nabard is keenly watching the progress and involvement of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and extending timely guidance and support. The RRBs, over the years have made impressive strides on various business indicators.
“They (RRBs) are doing exceedingly well under formation and linkage of SHGs and JLGs and even managing micro finance matters,” he said.
He lauded the efforts of KVGB especially in financial inclusion matter and distributed loans worth Rs 50 lakh to 30 self-help groups.
Presiding over the function, C. Sambasiva Reddy, Chairman of KVGB-Dharwad, appraised about the performance of the bank and its social involvement. He also briefed him about the steps taken under financial Inclusion.
Nabard district development manager Y.N. Mahadevaiah, General Manager of the bank Sudhir Chandakkar and other officials were present.
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