Bhopal, Sept 23: The 133rd Meeting of State Level Bankers' Committee was held today here at the Central Bank of India, which was chaired by K Subbaraman, Executive Director, Central Bank of India and was conducted by PC Tiwari, Convenor of the Committee. The meeting reviewed the performance recorded by banking sector in the State during the first quarter of the current financial year.

In his key note address, Subbaraman informed that the Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme 2008 benefited a total of 18,34,309 farmers in the State, involving a total amount of Rs 3150.40 crore. 12,86,786 'small and marginal farmers' were found eligible for waiver of dues to the tune of Rs 2134.55 crore, whereas 5,47,523 farmers in the category of 'other farmers' benefited in the form of relief in debt involving an amount of Rs 1015.85 crore.

He appreciated the co-operation extended by all the agencies involved in the implementation process due to which the Committee could accomplish the task of implementation of the Scheme within the stipulated timeframe and also submit the related data to the Government of India expeditiously.

Referring to the performance of banking sector during the quarter ended June 2008, Subbaraman informed that Banks achieved 24% of the targets under Annual Action Plan, and opened 44 new branches in the State during the period. The aggregate deposits of the banks grew by Rs 4012 crore and stood at Rs 93616 crore, and total advances during the same period increased by Rs 1829 crore and stood at Rs 61886 crore. The priority sector had a share of 62% and agriculture advances formed 38% of the total credit. The C:D Ratio of 66% is also above the national norm. The Banks also provided educational loans to 2060 students, including 401 girl students, involving a total amount of Rs 61 crore during the first quarter.

The House also reviewed the performance under ongoing programmes like doubling the flow of credit to Agriculture and SME Sectors, Kisan Credit Cards, KVIC Margin Money Scheme, implementation of Annual Credit Plan, other government sponsored schemes like SGSY, SJSRY, SLRS, formation of SHGs and Low C:D Ratio in certain districts, etc.

IS Dani, Development Commissioner, Pravesh Sharma, Principal Secretary Agriculture, Ashok Das, Principal Secretary (Finance), SC Arya, Union Ministry of Finance, Pallavi Jain Govil, Director, Institutional Finance, Rajesh Verma, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, S Mohapatra, CGM, NABARD and other senior Officials from the State Government, Commercial Banks and Financial Institutions were present in the meeting.