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Bihar MLAs flay banks

For `non-cooperation' in funding Gramin Rozgar Yojana

Patna: Bihar legislators on Wednesday expressed concern in the Assembly over the "non-cooperation" by public sector banks in funding the Swarna Jayanti Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SJGRY).

The Government then assured the House that it will take up the matter with the Union Finance Minister.

The matter was raised through a short notice question of LJP's Maheshwar Singh who wanted to know why only Rs. 72 crores of the Rs. 364 crores meant for funding the Self Help Groups and individuals under SJGRY during 2006-07 had been spent so far.

Replying to the question, Rural Development Minister Baidyanath Prasad Mahato disputed the Member's data, saying Rs. 117.74 crores (around 37 per cent of the target) had been spent, but admitted that the banks were not adequately cooperating in disbursing the funds.

He said 9728 SHGS and 40,831 individuals had benefited from the scheme.

"The Government has warned the banks that if they do not make adequate advance, the Government will stop depositing development funds with them," he said.

RJD's Ramchandra Purve deplored the "non-cooperation" of the banks and wanted to know if the Government intended to get the matter probed by an independent agency or a committee of the House.

Ramdev Verma (CPI-M) suggested an inquiry by the State police into the matter, alleging the banks had "vested interest" in not extending sufficient advances to the rural poor. PTI

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