NABARD Celebrates 41st Foundation Day

By Subrat Sarangi

New Delhi,July 12:  NABARD reiterated its commitment to rural prosperity of the Nation and to the State of Odisha on the occasion of its 41st Foundation Day, celebrated in an august function on 12th July 2022.

Hon’ble Finance Minister, Shri. Niranjan Pujari was the Chief Guest on the occasion.Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture And Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Shri. RanendraPratap Swain; Shri. P. K. Jena, IAS, Development Commissioner; Shri. Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner;Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Shri. A K KMeena, IAS;Shri H N Panda, Regional Director RBI;Shri C Udayabhaskar, Chief General Manager, NABARD; Convenor, SLBC, Shri. GoutamParta; CGM, SBI, Shri. ChanderShekhar Sharma;Senior Officials from Govt., Banks and NABARDparticipatedin the programme.

In his welcome address, Shri C. Udayabhaskar, Chief General Manager, NABARD, highlighted the major achievements of NABARD in recent years. He thanked the stakeholders for the excellent cooperation and support which has resulted in fabulous performance of NABARD in the State. NABARD has been a major partner of Government of Odisha in its developmental endeavors. NABARD’s financial support to the State Government, Banks and Corporations in Odisha has touched Rs.31,786 crore in 2021-22.  He indicated that the thrust areas for 22-23 are remunerative activities beyond paddy cultivation, FPOs, developing micro entrepreneurs of successful SHG women, doubling of bank credit to the SHGs, doubling of farmer’s income,climate change and promotion of handloom and handicraft OFPOs.

Shri Niranjan Pujari, Finance Minister, Govt. of Odisha and the Chief Guest on this occasion, congratulated NABARD on the commencement of 41st Year of NABARD’s service to the Nation. In this address, he appreciated NABARD for its consistent endeavors, initiatives and contributions to rural development and constant support and active involvement in the development of Rural Sectors in Odisha. He stated that NABARD through its initiatives like Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Watershed development Fund (WDF), Self Help Group – Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP) and others is complimenting the developmental initiatives of theState Government.

Shri. RanendraPratap Swain, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture And Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Odisha, congratulated NABARD on the occasion of its Foundation Day and stated that in Odisha, Govt. has been implementing various schemes like BALARAM, KALIA, SAMRUDHI, Millet Mission, FPOs etc and its time for banks to increase the credit flow for private capital formation substantially.

Shri P. K. Jena, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary & Development Commissioner appreciated the efforts of NABARD for the record sanction for infrastructure projects under RIDF in Odisha. He highlighted that the rural connectivity has been promoted through construction of bridges and roads under RIDF.

Shri. Sanjeev Chopra, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, appreciated the efforts of NABARD towards irrigation, WADI, watershed development, support to agri-entrepreneurs and marketing which have boosted the economic growth of the State.He also elaborated on the active role of NABARD in the promotion of Farmer Producers’ Organizations.

Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Shri. A K KMeena, IAS,appreciated the efforts of NABARD in providing handholding support to banks for increasing the Ground Level Credit Flow in the State. He urged all stakeholders to double their efforts and work together to achieve the priority sector credit disbursement target of Rs.1.35 lakh crore in the current financial year.

Earlier in the meeting, Shri. ChanderShekhar Sharma, CGM, SBI, highlighted that banks should focus on financing new technologies in Agriculture sector.

Shri Goutam Patra,Convenor, SLBC indicated that by the end of the current financial year, banks have to achieve the set sector wise priority sector targets.

Regional Director, RBI Shri H N Panda spoke about the importance of financial inclusion and appreciated NABARD for supporting banks for setting up of Financial Literacy Centres for creating financial literacy awareness among rural people.

On this occasion, awards were given to individuals and institutions in various categories such asbest performing tribal farmer, SHG, FPO, Watershed Management Committee, farmer under “Beyond Paddy”, weaver, craftsman, SwachhAbhiyan Initiative, and BALARAM Yojana, recognizing their efforts in the various developmental initiatives of NABARD. A coffee table book “Reflections 2021-22”, highlighting major achievements of NABARD in Odisha during 2021-22 and a video showcasing “4o years of NABARD in Odisha” were released on the occasion by the Hon’ble Guests.