SIDBI disbursement of Rs 420 crore benefits 14,744 units
GUWAHATI: SIDBI has made a cumulative disbursement of Rs 420 crore benefitting 14,744 units in the North East region.
SIDBI Chairman cum Managing Director R M Malla told reporters here on Saturday that the bank’s credit assistance in the region has increased to Rs 44 crore in the financial year 2010 against Rs 15 crore during 2007.
Under the micro-credit scheme till March 31, 2010, the cumulative disbursement was to the tune of Rs 104 crore chanellised through various NGOs and Micro Finance Institutions (MFI), Malla said.
Altogether 3,75,00 beneficiaries, mostly women have been supported by SIDBI and the NGOs and MFIs have been provided capacity building grant of Rs 3.44 crore with various activities like bamboo craft, weaving, tailoring and handloom, and handicrafts were covered.
The bank has also taken up micro-finance initiatives by setting up special cell for development of the region and a dedicated micro finance branch has been set up in the region last year, Malla pointed out.
The Committee on Financial Sector Plan for NER under RBI Deputy Governor Usha Thorat has made certain recommendations for SIDBI to implement developmental programmes like Cluster Development Programme and Rural Industries Programme in all the states of North East.
A Counselling centre for micro and small enterprises was jointly set up by SIDBI and United Bank of India last year and till March this year it has rendered services to about 745 prospective entrepreneurs, Malla added.