Date:16/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/07/16/stories/2004071602251900.htm

Back Kisan cards: Vijaya Bank earmarks Rs 180 crore for Mangalore region

Our Bureau

Mangalore , July 15

THE General Manager of Vijaya Bank, Mr S. Laxmikanth Hegde, has said that the bank has earmarked Rs 180 crore to Mangalore region for disbursement under kisan credit card scheme.

Inaugurating the branch managers' conference of the bank here on Thursday, he said that Mangalore region has more number of rural and semi-urban branches, and thrust should be on covering all farmers in the service area villages under the kisan card scheme.

Stating that agriculture lending is on the top of bank's agenda, he said branches should meet the requirements of farmers on crop loans.

The bank can serve the rural poor through credit linkage of self-help groups (SHGs), and the branch managers should identify suitable income-generating activities for the benefit of SHGs, he said.

Importance should be given for low-cost and no-cost deposits in view of declining spreads, he added.

Welcoming the gathering, Mr K. Sadananda Hegde, Assistant General Manager, Mangalore Region, said that the region has 76 branches, including 12 in Kasaragod district of Kerala State.

Last year, the region excelled in agricultural advances and credit linkage of Stree Shakti SHGs. This year, the region has set a target of credit linking 1,000 SHGs under the Stree Shakti programme, he said.

In order to double agriculture lending, schemes are being worked out in consultation with Nabard, Horticulture Department, and Karnataka Milk Federation.

Every branch should disburse 100 new agriculture loans, he added.

Branch managers from Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod districts attended the conference.