Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has emphasised active outreach by Regional Rural Bank (RRB) branches located in MSME clusters to ensure credit to small and micro enterprises. She said this while chairing a meeting to review performance of nine Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) of the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.
M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Additional Secretary, other senior DFS officials, Chairpersons of RRBs and CEOs of Sponsor Banks, representatives of RBI, SIDBI and NABARD and senior officers of 5 states were also present during the meeting in Udaipur.
The review meeting focused on business performance, upgrading digital technology services, fostering business growth in MSME clusters, and deepening of financial inclusion in rural areas. Given the crucial role of RRBs in supporting the rural economy, the Union Finance Minister urged RRBs to generate awareness of Government schemes, especially in aspirational districts.
Sitharaman noted the lower offtake of PM MUDRA scheme in Bundelkhand region, and directed State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) to hold specific meetings with State Government officials, Sponsor Banks and RRBs to improve the performance of MUDRA scheme along with other financial inclusion schemes in Bundelkhand region and aspirational districts.
The Union Finance Minister also noted the natural potential of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in states of Gujarat and Rajasthan and urged RRBs to generate awareness and provide credit under the scheme. The potential of ‘One District One Product (ODOP) programme’ was also highlighted to increase credit penetration by RRBs. Similarly, RRBs were directed to identify potential trades under PM Vishwakarma scheme in their areas of operation to provide credit. RRBs were also directed to increase their share in ground-level agriculture credit disbursement and achieve the stated objectives of Priority Sector Lending.
The Consolidated Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio (CRAR) of RRBs has increased from 7.8% in FY 2021 to 13.7% in FY 2024 and profitability has improved from losses of Rs. 41 crore in FY 2021 to net profit of Rs. 2,018 crore in FY 2024 and Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) are relatively lower with a ratio of 3.9%.
The FM acknowledged the satisfactory improvement in the technology upgradation of the nine RRBs of Western Central region since 2022 – the year when regular review of RRBs started; and urged these RRBs to continue the momentum in future also. The Union Finance Minister directed RRBs to leverage their healthy CASA ratio to disseminate more credit and also urged intervention of RBI in resolving the pending dues to RRBs from State Governments, apart from the efforts being taken by the Government and Sponsor Banks.
During the review meeting, the Finance Minister also directed RRBs to become more customer friendly and leverage its local connect to further improve performance. The Sponsor Banks have a significant role in these endeavours by providing technical assistance, sharing best practices, and ensuring that RRBs have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Sitharaman emphasised on active outreach by RRB branches located in MSME clusters to ensure credit to small and micro enterprises. All RRBs have devised customised MSME products aligning with cluster activities. However, they need to regularly review their credit portfolio in that segment.
The Union Finance Minister also highlighted that Sponsor Banks and RRBs must recognise the challenges that lie ahead, especially maintaining asset quality, expanding digital services, and ensuring robust corporate governance are the areas that require continued focus.
