Reco. No.

Recommendations

1.

1

The Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) is useful and needs to continue. The State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) and various fora under LBS should focus on addressing the ‘enablers’ and ‘impeders’ in advancing greater financial inclusion and flow of credit to priority sectors, while monitoring Govt. Sponsored Schemes. (Para 3.1, 3.8) 

2.

2

Penetration of banking in several parts of the country is still limited. Hence, it is critical that banking services are seen as a public good and are also made accessible to all sections of population and regions of the country at affordable cost. The State development machinery has to ensure the availability of backward and forward linkages to ensure that credit is gainfully deployed and income levels enhanced. (Para 3.3)

3

3

The overarching objective of LBS shall be to enable banks and State Governments to work together for inclusive growth. (Para 3.4)

4

4

It is necessary to broad base the scope of the scheme to cover initiatives for financial inclusion, role of State Governments, financial literacy and credit counselling as also 'credit plus' activities, formulate action plans to facilitate 'enablers' and remove /minimise 'impeders' for banking development for inclusive growth, develop grievance redressal mechanism, etc.(Para 3.7)

5

7

Banks need to take the maximum advantage of available IT solutions. The funding arrangements available under Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (with NABARD) or other options such as the support offered for distribution of Government payments by RBI may be explored for the purpose. However, connectivity should not be an issue of consideration for not pursuing Financial Inclusion by commercial banks/RRBs (Para 3.13)

6

9

Although permitted, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are not being used as BCs. Concerted efforts may be made for using PACS as BCs where such PACS are running well. (Para 3.16).

7

11

State Governments to ensure road/ digital connectivity to all centres where penetration by the formal banking system is required. The achievement of such connectivity may be monitored by a sub-committee of the DCC. Advantage may be taken of the special scheme offered by RBI of satellite connectivity through small V-SATs in remote areas.  (Para 3.19)

8

17

Lead banks to open a Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling Centre (FLCC) in every district where they have lead responsibility. (Para 3.25)

9

18

The DLCCs/SLBCs may monitor initiatives for providing 'credit plus' services by banks and State Government. The lead banks would need to take expeditious steps to set up RSETIs as per the plan projections. As recommended by the Working Group on Rehabilitation of Sick SMEs (Chairman: Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty, April 2008), a scheme for utilising specified NGOs for providing training and other services to tiny micro enterprises may be considered by the SLBC convenor banks in consultation with State Governments as per the guidelines contained in RBI circular RPCD.SME&NFS.BC.No. 102/06.04.01/2008-09 dated May 04, 2009. (Para 3.26)

10

23

The present planning process envisages preparation of PLPs by NABARD for all the districts of the country. These plans are to be prepared by October-November every year and provide inputs both to the district planning authorities for preparing their budgetary plans and to the lead banks for preparing the District Credit Plans (DCP), respectively. Preparation of PLP may be advanced to be completed by August every year to enable the State Governments factor in the PLP projections. (Para 3.31)

11

25

The Zonal / Controlling offices of banks, while finalising their business plans for the year, should take into account the PLPs prepared by NABARD and plans prepared by the LDMs for sectors other than agriculture and allied activities which should be ready well before the performance budgets are finalised. (Para3.33)

12

26

The Annual Credit Plan would be prepared by the Lead District Manager of the Lead banks concerned taking into account the PLPs.  The Annual Credit Plans, among others, should clearly indicate the proposed coverage for SCs/STs, minorities and promotion of SHGs in the district. (Para 3.34)

13

30

Banks should involve themselves actively in the selection of beneficiaries and focus on the bankability and viability of the scheme in the overall interest of ensuring better recovery and ensuring that the subsidy is effectively used for the intended purpose. Governments should evaluate outcomes rather than whether the amounts allocated are fully spent. (Para 3.43)

14

32

The activities of NGOs in facilitating and channelling credit to the low income households are expected to increase in the coming years. Bank's linkage with such NGOs/Corporate houses operating in the area to ensure that the NGOs/Corporates provide the necessary 'credit plus' services can help leverage bank credit for inclusive growth. Success stories could be presented in DCC/SLBC meetings to serve as models that could be replicated.(Para 3.45)

15

33

SLBC/DCC to identify academicians and researchers engaged in research and development studies to be invited occasionally to the meetings of these bodies. (Para 3.46)

16

34

Private sector banks to involve themselves more actively in LBS by bringing in their expertise in strategic planning and leveraging on Information Technology. The Lead banks may involve private sector banks more closely in the LBS while drawing up and implementing the ACP. (Para 3.47)

17

35

State Governments should be able to leverage on the benefits of undertaking government business by banks to incentivize in Government sponsored schemes. Private sector banks may actively involve with the DCC and Action Plans where they have a presence and extend their services through permitted channels in underbanked and unbanked area.  (Para 3.49) 

18

41

The various fora at lower levels should give adequate feedback to the SLBC on issues needed to be discussed on a wider platform. Important issues/ decisions of the BLBC, DCC and DLRC should be placed before the next meeting of the SLBC, so that these receive adequate attention at the State Level. (Para 4.6)

19

49

A Sub-Committee of DCC may be formed to work intensively on specific issues. There could be different sub-committees to deal with role of SHGs/MFIs, IT based financial inclusion, MSE sector, etc.(Para 4.14)

20

50

The role of LDM should cover convening meetings of the DCC and DLRC, periodical meetings of DDM/LDO/Government officials for resolving outstanding issues, facilitating setting up of Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling Centres (FLCCs), RSETIs by banks, holding annual sensitisation workshops for banks and government officials with participation by NGOs/PRIs, grievance redressal, credit planning at the district level and monitoring implementation of the annual credit plan. (Para 4.15)

21

51

LDM’s office being the focal point for successful implementation of the Lead Bank Scheme, due care should be taken in selecting the incumbent and the posting should be made a coveted one. (Para 4.16(i))

22

53

There is a need for putting in place a mechanism to facilitate greater co-ordination between LDM, LDO and DDM outside the scheduled DCC/DLRC meetings, on an ongoing basis, which will, inter alia,  also help in redressal of grievances of the users of banking services. LDMs should be sufficiently empowered and delegated with powers to discharge their responsibilities.RDs/CGMs to review adequacy of support available. (Para 4.16(iv)(v)(vi))

23

54

As soon as Reserve Bank, Government of India, NABARD and IBA’s instructions are placed on their websites, banks may communicate the same to their branches electronically so that the relative instructions come into operation   immediately. (Para 5.2)

24

56

Bank officials posted as Lead District Managers may be given two to three weeks attachment at Zilla Parishad/Collectorate for familiarization with government’s role and functioning with regard to the developmental programmes. (Para 5.4)

25

57

Exposure visits may be arranged by the Lead Bank for District Collectors, Block Development Officers, bank officials, SHGs at various levels to leverage upon success stories. (Para 5.5)

26

58

Bank Managers should also visit the SHG meeting places to help  understand  SHGs better. (Para 5.6)   

27

59

Functionaries of PRIs, especially gram panchayats should be familiarized with preparation of bankable schemes, so that budgetary funds for livelihood promotion can be leveraged for promoting financial inclusion and increasing credit absorption capacity. The LDM/ DDM could take initiatives in this regard. (Para 5.7)    

28

64

Every quarter, the lead bank may organize an awareness and feedback public meeting in its district. (Para 5.14)

29

65

The LDM may invite the Banking Ombudsman (BO) for such meetings who may attend the same at his/her convenience. (Para 5.15 & 5.16)

30

66

Each lead bank is expected to open a Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling Centre (FLCC) in every district where it has lead responsibility by following the recent guidelines issued by RBI in this regard. The State Government machinery may support the efforts made by banks for financial literacy. Towards this, State Government may proactively provide assistance of the government machinery, especially at the grass root level such as schools, panchayats, etc., for this purpose. (Para 5.18)