11 hours ago
Banks must act with social commitment, says MP
MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Saturday said banks should not simply chase profits but also operate with a strong sense of social responsibility.
Presiding over the District-Level Advisory and Progress Review Committee meeting in Madikeri, Mr. Yaduveer called upon banks to extend lending support to farmers, small and medium enterprises, traders, and cottage industries.
'Inclusive development is the need of the hour, and banks must play an important role in ensuring it,' he said.
He urged banks to strictly adhere to Central government guidelines and provide greater assistance to priority sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries. 'Banks should function as partners in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of inclusive and sustainable development,' Mr. Yaduveer said.
Stressing on the importance of language and communication, he said staff of nationalised banks should learn Kannada to connect better with local communities. 'It not only helps in addressing grievances efficiently but also strengthens public trust,' he added.
RBI Assistant General Manager Suraj said that an online Kannada learning initiative for bank employees has already been launched.
Presenting the overview of bank performance in the district during 2024-25, Lead Bank Manager Gangadhar Nayak said banks achieved 99% of the agricultural loan disbursement target, 97% in small-scale industries, 100% in educational loans, 74% in the housing sector, 104% in other priority sectors, 98% overall in the priority sector, and 117% in non-priority sector lending.
The Annual District Credit Plan target for the year 2025–26 has been pegged at ₹7,680.10 crore. Sector-wise allocations include ₹3,477.86 crore for crop loans, ₹1,388.42 crore for small and medium industries, ₹33.27 crore for educational loans, ₹59.46 crore for the housing sector, and ₹115.53 crore for other priority sectors — totalling ₹5,074.54 crore for all priority sectors. A sum of ₹2,606.56 crore has been earmarked for non-priority sectors, he said.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Anand Prakash Meena, Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, and officials from various departments and corporations attended the meeting.
