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Sinha call to raise C-D ratio in N-E

Our Bureau

GUWAHATI, June 20

EXPRESSING concern at the low credit-deposit ratio of the banks in the north-eastern region, the Union Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha called upon the banks in the region to play a more aggressive role in extending credit to the needy.

Mr. Sinha, as the chief guest in a two-day seminar on Greed Revolution in Assam held here by the State Government, directed the banks to improve their C-D ratio to 40 per cent by the year end from the current level of 30 per cent.

Expressing satisfaction at the progress of the ongoing agricultural development programme in Assam, the Finance Minister assured that Centre would spend a major portion of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in the State during the current f iscal in order to uplift the poor.

He said Centre had enhanced the RIDF resource from Rs. 3,500 crores to Rs. 4,500 crores to carry out all-round development work for the rural people. He also said that Rs. 2,500 crores has been earmarked under the rural connectivity scheme during the cur rent fiscal to develop road communication system in the remote areas of the country.

Delivering the keynote address, eminent agri-scientist, Magsaysay Award winner, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

said the sole aim of the Assam should be to render the vast agricultural potential of the State into reality. He said that the question of an assured market was always vitally linked with agricultural development because more production lowered prices an d in turn created problems for farmers.

He also praised the special efforts in Assam in forming the Field Management Committees (FMC) for conducting the shallow tube well programme.

Mr. S.C. Pathak, Chief General Manager, Nabard presented his paper on Blue Revolution in Assam - Pisciculture. The Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.K. Sinha inaugurated the seminar, presided by the Chief Minister, Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.