Bhubaneswar, 12.07.23 (Pratyusha Bureau):NABARD reiterated its commitment to rural prosperity of the Nation and to the State of Odisha on the occasion of its 42nd Foundation Day, celebrated in an august function on 12th July 2023. Hon’ble Chief Secretary and Chief Development Commissioner, Govt. of Odisha Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, IAS was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Ms. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum- Additional Chief Secretary; Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Finance; Smt. Sujata R. Karthikeyan, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti; Dr. S. P. Mohanty, Regional Director RBI; Dr. Sudhansu K.K. Mishra, Chief General Manager, NABARD; Shri. Goutam Parta, Convenor, SLBC; Shri. Chander Shekhar Sharma, Chief General Manager, SBI; Senior Officials from Govt., Banks and NABARD participated in the programme. In his welcome address, Dr. B.B Sahoo, General Manager, NABARD, highlighted the major achievements of NABARD in recent years. He thanked the stakeholders for the excellent cooperation and support which has resulted in fabulous performance of NABARD in the State. NABARD has been a major partner of Government of Odisha in its developmental endeavors. NABARD’s financial support to the State Government, Banks and Corporations in Odisha has touched Rs.31,095 crore in 2022-23. He indicated that the thrust areas for 2023-24 are remunerative activities Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, modernization and strengthening of cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations, SHGs to SMEs, doubling of bank credit to the SHGs, doubling of farmer’s income, climate change and promotion of handloom and handicraft OFPOS. Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, IAS, Chief Secretary and Chief Development Commissioner, Govt. of Odisha and the Chief Guest on this occasion, congratulated NABARD on the commencement of 42nd Year of NABARD’s service to the Nation. In this address, he appreciated NABARD for its consistent endeavors, initiatives and contributions to rural development and constant support and active involvement in the development of Rural Sectors in Odisha. He stated that NABARD through its initiatives like Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF), Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme (SHG-BLP), National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) and others is complimenting the developmental initiatives of the State Government.Ms. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum- Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha, congratulated NABARD on the occasion of its Foundation Day and stated that NABARD has been a major partner of the State Govt. in implementation, creation of rural infrastructures, scaling up their operation. She appreciated NABARD for the new scheme, Rural Infrastructure Assistance to States (RIAS) particularly for Eastern India for development of infrastructure that supports rural livelihoods, based on the 5-J approach – Jan (human being), Jal (water), Jameen (land), Janwar (livestock), and Jungle (forest). Smt. Sujata R. Karthikeyan, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti acknowledged that NABARD has been a pioneer in the Self Help Group (SHG) movement which has brought a revolution and transformed the lives of rural women. He highlighted that the Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), Micro Enterprise Development programme (MEDP) and digital literacy through Project E-Shakti of NABARD have touched the lives 03 lakh grass root level women functionaries in the state and during the last 10 years, NABARD has graduated 40000 SHG women for setting up of enterprise by exploiting their untapped entrepreneurial potential. Regional Director, RBI Shri S P Mohanty spoke about the importance of financial inclusion and appreciated NABARD for supporting banks for setting up of Financial Literacy Centres for creating financial literacy awareness among rural people. Earlier in the meeting, Shri. Chander Shekhar Sharma, CGM, SBI, highlighted that banks should focus on financing new technologies in Agriculture sector. Shri Goutam Patra, Convenor, SLBC indicated that by the end of the current financial year, banks have to achieve the set sector wise priority sector targets. On this occasion, awards were given to individuals and institutions in various categories such as best performing tribal farmers, FPOs, climate change initiatives, SHGs, producer groups recognizing their efforts in the various developmental initiatives of NABARD. A coffee table book “Reflections 2022-23”, highlighting major achievements of NABARD in Odisha during 2022-23 and “Impact Evaluation of NABARD RIDF projects in Odisha” were released on the occasion by the Hon’ble Guests.
