The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Lucknow, organized a two-day national conference on “Best Practices in Rural Cooperative Banks” on 16 and 17th October 2023.
This conference is being attended by senior officials from NABARD, BIRD, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, as well as representatives from 14 state cooperative banks, 61 district central cooperative banks, and over 200 selected primary agriculture credit societies.
In his inaugural address Shaji K. V., Chairman of NABARD, highlighted the current status of rural cooperative banks in the context of the “Sahkaar se Samridhi” campaign launched by the Government of India.
He pointed out that the share of cooperative banks in the ground level credit flow to the agricultural sector has decreased to 11%, which is a matter of great concern. In addition to this, he emphasized the importance of technological advancements, infrastructure development, branding, governance and building trust with rural customers in the growth of cooperative banks.
Nabard Chairman encouraged cooperative bank officials present on this occasion to actively work towards improvement in these areas.
In his address, B.L. Meena, Principal Secretary, Cooperation, GoUP, highlighted the efforts being made by the government of Uttar Pradesh in this direction and the business potential available in the cooperative sector.
The two-day national conference included technical sessions on “Capacity Building in Rural Cooperative Banks,” “Technological Infusion,” “Business Diversification in Rural Cooperative Banks,” and “Human Resource Management.” Technical sessions involved discussions about NABARD, various state cooperative banks, and district central cooperative banks, along with secretaries of primary agricultural credit societies from Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Plans for further action will be formulated based on these discussions.
On this occasion, a guidance document titled “Internal Audit Manual for Rural Cooperative Banks” prepared by the Center for Professional Excellence (C-PEC), BIRD was released.
Besides Nirupam Mehrotra, Director, BIRD, Lko, J.S. Upadhyay, Chief General Manager, S. Manikumar, Chief General Manager S.K. Nanda, Chief General Manager, Vivek Sinha, Chief General Manager, NABARD Head office Mumbai were also present in the conference.
The deliberations and discussions with different stakeholders shall enable NABARD and BIRD to formulate a future action plan to lead rural cooperative banks towards excellence.
To increase St Coop Banks and DCCB market share which has shrinker by 11% , they should increase per Acre financing to farmers and interest rates must be competitive and low. Interest rates margin in refinancing by State Coop Banks and DCCB needs to be reviwed. If variation at any level is high needs to be reduced which will get compensated with high volume. Other than refinancing also interest rates should be competitive enough to maintain good market share. The excess staff is deployed in some branches, which should be rationalised and reshuffled. Non performing Staff be given VRS. A
We are aware of work done by co-operative banks for rural India. We also appreciate of role of NABARD in regulating and supervision of banks.
We how ever condem involvement of politicians in these banks & crony capitalism , resulting financial irregularities / frauds in bank.
The glaring example of PMC bank mega fraud of Rs 6500 cr NPA of 73% has shaken up the country. It is
big black dot on image of co-operative banks.
The subsiquent resolution by RBI & Govt of india amagamation has bailed in depositor’s money to the tune of 3000 cr.
I also regret co-operative leadership have miserably failed to protect interest of depositors & co-operative ministry has done little in spite of tall claim.
Beware coperative-banks are shuting down every month.
merging all DCC bank to apex bank.. then only co operative banks and pacs will develop. DCC banks want to adopt Separate IFSC code, UPI, internet bank, other service..
Wide scope