Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan: Pioneering Access to Kisan Credit Cards for Fish Farmers

Dr Abhilaksh Likhi chaired a pivotal meeting focusing on the 'Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan' in a significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion and support for the fisheries sector, Secretary (Fisheries).

The meeting was attended by the senior officers from various States and Union Territories, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Scheduled Commercial Banks, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

In his address, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi emphasized the need for the expansion of the KCC facility to the last mile of the fisheries value chain, ensuring that every eligible individual is covered. He also stated that the reason for the rejection of KCC applications need to be analyzed and efforts to be made to reduce the rejection and approval of application needs to be fast-tracked.

Secretary informed that the Special KCC campaign during Sagar Parikrama is encouraging and urged all the participants for their cooperation to ensure the successful execution of the 'Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’.

Joint Secretary, DoF, SagarMehra discussed the aims and objectives of the ‘Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’ and emphasized the importance of effective participation of States/UTs and Banks for successful implementation of the Abhiyaan. He mentioned that the campaign aims to achieve universal financial inclusion, ensuring every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits.

The Joint Secretary also highlighted the issues faced by beneficiaries related to documents and bank procedures as informed by States/UTs. He informed that KCC for 1,59,903 have been sanctioned for Rs 1746.16 Crore.

He also highlighted that there is a need to increase awareness of the latest RBI guidelines issued regarding eligibility for fishers to get KCC. Also, he emphasized that analysis of the rejection of applications and corrective measures to be taken by the banks and other stakeholders so that maximum beneficiaries may get its benefit.

The participants from States/UTs highlighted the issues and challenges in the mobilization of applications, eligibility criteria, credit limit and documentation, etc. while assuring their full cooperation during the ongoing Abhiyaan.

NABARD, Scheduled Commercial Banks, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and RBI assured that they will give special focus on 'Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’ for the Fisheries sector for the saturation of eligible Fishers and Fish Farmers with KCC facility.