The District-Level Review Committee of the banks (DLRC), which met in Kochi, has decided to declare Ernakulam as the first district having Meaningful Financial Inclusion. The declaration will be made on
November 22.
Banks in the district are going ahead with the process of Meaningful Financial Inclusion. The survey conducted by Kudumbasree Mission revealed that there are nearly 20 percent adults in the district without bank accounts. Ward-wise campaigns by banks to open accounts are progressing. Banks will also offer remittance services and micro-insurance policies. The process is expected to be completed by the end of October 2012.
Dominic Presentation MLA, who inaugurated the DLRC meeting, urged the banks to contribute towards treatment expenses of the poor people affected by chronic ailments, under their CSR activities.
He appreciated the functioning of banks in the district and pointed out that the interest rate charged for education loan was high. He also requested the banks to extend Kisan credit cards to the farmers in the costal belt. District Collector PI Sheik Pareeth said the number of complaints on education loan was increasing and different banks were having different conditions for education loan and the interest charged also differs.
He announced that a scheme for housing to the people in Chellanam was getting ready.
The district administration is in the process of developing a scheme to support students with hearing issues. Kala Gram in Marine Drive to promote traditional arts conduct of international film festival also is under consideration.
It was informed that all eligible non-default farmers will be
provided with Kisan Credit Card and non-default non-farmers with General Credit Card as instructed by the Ministry of Finance before March 31, 2013. S Jayamohan Nayar, Deputy General Manager, Union Bank of India, Jayaprakash KR, Lead District Manager, KD Joseph, AGM, RBI, Venu S Menon, AGM, NABARD and top officials from banks also attended.