Centre Plans Saturation Drive To Expand Financial Inclusion Schemes In West Bengal

New Delhi, Jun 9 (KNN) The Centre will launch a fresh saturation drive in West Bengal to expand the coverage of flagship financial inclusion and social security schemes while intensifying efforts to improve credit access for businesses, MSMEs and rural borrowers, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.
 
Centre Plans Fresh Financial Inclusion Drive In West Bengal
The announcement was made during a meeting in New Delhi with West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, where issues related to credit availability and implementation of central government schemes in the state were discussed, according to an official statement.
 
The proposed saturation drive will focus on expanding coverage under key schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and PM SVANidhi.
 
Roundtable Meetings Planned To Improve Credit Flow
Responding to concerns regarding access to credit, Sitharaman said roundtable meetings involving public sector banks, industry associations and MSME bodies would be organised across various regions of West Bengal, reported the Mint.
 
The initiative aims to improve the flow of institutional credit, support entrepreneurship, promote industrial development and generate employment opportunities in the state.
 
The finance minister also announced a review of the performance of West Bengal Gramin Bank, with particular emphasis on strengthening financial inclusion and enhancing access to formal credit in rural areas.
 
Support Assured Under Capital Investment Scheme
In addition, she assured support for eligible proposals submitted by the state under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, which is designed to strengthen infrastructure development.
 
Sitharaman also urged the state government to expedite implementation of reforms identified under the reform-linked component of the scheme.
 
The renewed focus on financial inclusion and credit delivery forms part of the Centre's broader review of the implementation status of major welfare and development programmes in West Bengal.

(KNN Bureau)