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Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , April 8

THE National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) sanctioned a total assistance of Rs 1,346 crore in Kerala in 2004-05. It disbursed refinance to the tune of Rs 448 crore during the year to commercial banks, regional rural banks and co-operative banks for investment in minor irrigation, land development, plantation and horticulture, fisheries, rural godowns, non-farm sector, rural housing and self-help groups. Last year, the disbursement was Rs 342 crore, according to Mr B.S. Shekhawat, Chief General Manager.

Besides, the bank had disbursed refinance of Rs 468 crore against Rs 276 crore in 2003-04 to the Kerala State Co-operative Bank (KSCB) and the regional rural banks for crop loans to farmers. KSCB was also provided liquidity support of Rs 78 crore on behalf of 10 district co-operative banks for conversion of loans of farmers in distress and farmers in arrears.

Further, refinance assistance of Rs 101 crore was extended to KSCB and the regional rural banks for development of non-farm sector activities that included Rs 8 crore for weavers societies and Rs 1.35 crore for the coir sector.

During the year, Nabard sanctioned Rs 222.74 crore to the State Government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) scheme for creation of rural infrastructure such as roads and bridges, soil/water conservation, minor irrigation and drainage. The cumulative assistance to the State under RIDF amounted to Rs 1,305.12 crore.

Under the micro finance programme of Nabard, an additional 21,000 self-help groups were credit-linked during the year, taking the cumulative total to over 54,000.

Also, under a pilot project in Joint Liability Groups programme, refinance to the tune of Rs 53.65 lakh was released in Thrissur district. The scheme provides credit support to individual borrowers in mid-segment groups wherein one can borrow on the collective guarantee of a group, instead of the collateral.

In view of the unique homestead settlement pattern in the State, Nabard introduced a new line of credit from banks wherein hassle-free loan facilities are available for a basket of activities irrespective of the individual size of the investment.

During the year under review, banks and non-governmental organisations sponsored 121 farmers clubs with grant assistance from Nabard. The total number of such clubs in the State now is 368.

The bank has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring Kisan Credit cards to all eligible borrowers in the State and during the year till the end of January 2005, as many as 2.46 lakh cards were issued, taking the total number of cards issued to around 18.50 lakh.

Nabard sanctioned 16 Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (REDPs) to various NGOs in the State during the year. The grant assistance to such REDPs and promotion of self-help groups was to the tune of Rs 40 lakh.

Mr Shekhawat said that Nabard is helping the banks and the Government in infrastructure mapping and credit planning by preparing Potential Linked Credit Plans for all the 14 districts in the State and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep for 2005-06.

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