Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 15: A Sensitization programme on Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) for Banks and NGOs was organized today by DDM, NABARD, Udhampur.
The Programme was attended by VK Verma, LDM, SBI, Udhampur, Ashutosh Sareen, VP, J&K Bank, Udhampur, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, banks, line departments and NGOs.
Manohar Lal, DDM NABARD, Udhampur, informed that Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech for the year 2015-16 had announced that 5 lakh Joint Farmers/ Liability Groups of landless farmers would be formed during the current financial year throughout the country and NABARD was entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the project. Therefore, NABARD has taken an initiative in Udhampur district to conduct the programme for banks and NGOs.
He said that the objective of the programme is to generate awareness about JLGs among the banks and NGOs and also to discuss the guidelines issued by RBI/NABARD in this regard so that the banks finance JLGs in the district.
While explaining the JLG, he said that a JLGs aim to finance poor people who cannot provide any security to the bank. The members themselves provide guarantee for each other. The activities covered may be related agriculture and non agriculture. He shared that NABARD has engaged two NGOs to form JLGs in the district.
DDM said that the objective of SHGs is empowerment of women through credit. He said that NABARD has promoted many SHGs in the district through NGOs. Most of these SHGs are engaged in small Dairy Farming activity.
LDM appreciated the efforts of NABARD in conducting the programme. He asked the banks to promote more and more JLGs in the district. He said that SHGs are the biggest programme for securing Financial Inclusion and poverty alleviation. LDM urged all the banks present to undertake financing to JLGs and SHGs on a priority basis.