Agartala: Mar 01: On Saturday, an agricultural extension program focusing on self-help groups was held at Agartala Town Hall, with Finance Minister Pranjit Singh Roy inaugurating the event. In his speech, Minister Roy highlighted the disparity in loan disbursements between national and regional banks, pointing out that national-level banks are providing comparatively fewer loans to women and self-help groups. He urged these banks to step up and offer more financial support, noting that regional banks have been more proactive in providing loans to such groups.
The minister also touched upon the significant progress made in the state’s economic development under the current government. He mentioned that the state’s budget had increased from ₹15,000 crore under the previous government to over ₹27,000 crore in recent years. This increase, he explained, reflects the rising income levels in rural areas, which have contributed to an overall increase in the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Furthermore, he highlighted the government’s efforts to improve farmers’ incomes, stating that the average income of farmers had more than doubled from ₹6,550 to over ₹13,000.
Minister Roy emphasized the importance of rural development for the financial strength of both the state and the country. He pointed out that while there was always talk about strengthening villages, proper management had been lacking in the past. Today, with better management practices, rural areas are experiencing tangible development. He called on banks to pay more attention to the needs of rural communities.
The event also included a press conference by Punjab National Bank, where the bank’s Managing Director, Ashok Chandra, discussed the bank’s focus on expanding branch networks and ATMs, as well as ensuring high-quality customer service. Representatives from various banks and self-help groups from across the state attended the event, underlining the growing support for financial inclusion and rural development.
