NABARD's concern over inadequate SHG-bank in Mizoram

Aizawl, Sep 18 (UNI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) today expressed concern over insufficient Self Help Group- SHG-Bank linkage programme- in Mizoram.

Talking to UNI, NABARD's Assistant General Manager Pillai Santhanam said "it has been felt that the SHG has not been percolated well among the bankers at branch level and also among the various NGOs in the state''. ''At time the SHG-bank linkage programme has been understood as SGSY programme of the government, which is a conceptual abbreviation'', he added.

He also pointed out as 2006 declared as the year of "microfinance" by the United Nations, NABARD had convened a meeting with the chief executives of all the commercial banks including SBI, Vijaya Bank, UCO bank, Mizoram rural bank and Mizoram co-operative Apex Bank to discus the modulities to improve the SHGs in the state.

The meeting emphasised the need to create a credit linkage with SHGs in the region, he added. The CEOs of these banks also volunteered to help for the formation of SHGs and opening of bank accounts to 1020 new SHGs during next fiscal, he said and stressed the need to create a core group of mobile trainers to creat awareness about micro finance.

Mr Pillai said they would organise more SHG sensitation programmes across the region for women and various NGOs. "Till now all the organised programme throughout the state was well received by the bankers as well as NGOs, who took active part in these meetings".

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