A high-level meeting was organized by the Ahmedabad Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review the status of banking penetration and credit delivery in Dang district. Presiding over the meeting, Shri Amresh Ranjan, Regional Director, RBI (Ahmedabad), termed the district’s low Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio as a matter of serious concern, stating that all banks must undertake coordinated and proactive efforts to improve it.
During his interaction with the bankers, he issued several key directives aimed at the inclusive development of Dang district. He emphasized the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across 311 villages in the district for the processing of bamboo, medicinal plants, and horticultural produce; linking these groups to credit facilities; and organizing monthly credit camps. Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of establishing Village Organizations (VOs) and Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs) to facilitate the marketing of Ragi and other agricultural products. He also advocated for the deployment of mobile banking outreach vans, the engagement of local youth as Banking Correspondents (BCs), and the promotion of skill development within the bamboo craft clusters through the Cluster-Level Federations (CLFs) and Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs).
Additionally, it was suggested that buyers of chemical-free produce be invited from agricultural markets in neighbouring districts, such as Nashik. To boost forest-based livelihoods, the need was underscored to certify SHGs through the Forest Department and to provide them with financing, modern equipment, and training for working with bamboo, teak, and medicinal plants. It was also emphasized that marketing mechanisms should be developed through the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to ensure that employment opportunities can be generated even for those lacking land ownership.
Under the guidance of Regional Director Shri Amresh Ranjan, a consensus was reached on formulating a time-bound and monitorable Action Plan (MAP), wherein bank-wise responsibilities were clearly delineated and a mechanism for regular monitoring was established. This meeting proved to be a significant initiative aimed at expanding banking services, boosting credit disbursement, and strengthening sustainable rural livelihoods in the Dang district.
The meeting was attended by representatives from SBI (GM), NABARD (DGM), SLBC Gujarat (DGM), and various government departments; it also included regional heads from various banks, as well as all branch managers from the Dang district. Prior to this meeting, Regional Director Shri Amresh Ranjan interacted with artisans, members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), farmers, and villagers in the Waghai block to gain an understanding of their banking-related issues and difficulties. The participants shared the challenges they face in accessing credit, the limited reach of banking services, and procedural complexities, in response to which they were assured that a solution-oriented approach would be adopted.