Union Finance Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Rural and tribal Odisha showed good growth in lending. This happened over the past three years.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra had asked a question. Chaudhary said bank credit in Odisha grew 11.41 percent annually. Tribal districts like Kandhamal, Koraput, and Malkangiri saw growth. Kandhamal grew 8.28 percent. Koraput grew 11.79 percent. Malkangiri grew 14.25 percent.
Chaudhary explained credit plans. The state level bankers’ committee makes them. NABARD’s potential linked credit plan guides this. The annual credit plan sets district and sector targets. This covers farms, small businesses, and rural development. Banks and the state government agree on these plans. They aim for financial inclusion.
Malkangiri reached 94 percent of its credit plan goals. Koraput was at 93 percent. Kandhamal achieved 92 percent. This shows steady credit use matching approved targets.
The government started efforts to boost banking. Credit outreach events were held. Financial learning camps happened in poor areas. Business correspondents and service points were added. These help with credit sourcing and service. District committees also monitor progress.
Financial services improved in these districts too. Kandhamal’s business correspondents doubled. ATMs also increased. Koraput saw more business correspondents. More bank branches opened there. Malkangiri also added business correspondents. These changes make banking easier for people in remote areas. The finance minister said the state level bankers’ committee checks the credit to deposit ratio. It gives banks instructions to do better.