Bihar MLAs deplore 'non-cooperation' of banks in funding SJGRY

newkerala.com

Patna, Mar 7: Bihar legislators today expressed concern in the
assembly over the "non-cooperation" by public sector banks in funding
the Swarna Jayanti Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SJGRY).

The government then assured the house that it will take up the matter
with the union Finance Minister.

The matter was raised through a short notice question of LJP's
Maheshwar Singh who wanted to know why only Rs 72 crore of the Rs 364
crore meant for funding the Self Help Groups and individuals under
SJGRY during 2006-07 had been spent so far.

Replying to the question, Rural Development minister Baidyanath Prasad
Mahato disputed the member's figure, saying Rs 117.74 crore, around 37
per cent of the target, had been spent, but admitted that the banks
were not adequately cooperating in disbursing the funds.

He said 9728 SHGS and 40,831 individuals had benefited from the scheme.

"The government has warned the banks that if they do not make adequate
advance, the government will stop depositing development funds with
them," he said.

RJD's Ramchandra Purve deplored the "non-cooperation" of the banks and
wanted to know if the government intended to get the matter probed by
an independent agency or a committee of the house.

Ramdev Verma (CPI-M) suggested an inquiry by the state police into the
matter, alleging the banks had "vested interest" in not extending
sufficient advances to the rural poor.

--- PTI