Top bank executives praise Nitish

"There is an atmosphere of development in Bihar...We should think of and give attention as to how the investments take place," SBI Chairman Pratip Chaudhury said at the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) meeting here.

The experience gathered in other states would be utilised in Bihar, Chaudhury said adding, "My concentration will be towards the atmosphere of investments."

Special attention would be given to providing one branch for a population of 15,000 in Bihar to put it at par with the national average, he said.

Central Bank of India CMD S Sridhar said there was a lot of potential in the rural sector, particularly in Bihar. "We have expanded our activities through North Bihar Kshetriya Gramin Bank even in the remote rural areas."

It is also necessary to involve people with the banks, he said.

Allahabad Bank CMD J P Dua said there was good atmosphere prevailing in Bihar for banking and investment. "During the last five-six years there has been marked improvement in law and order, road structure and other basic infrastructure...It is the best-ever time for more and more investments in Bihar."

UCO Bank CMD Arun Kaul said there were new potentials seen in Bihar for promoting medium and small enterprises and therefore it was necessary that the banks introspect and consider afresh schemes to be launched in the state.

RBI Regional Director M K Singh said the annual credit plan (ACP) target for the current fiscal fixed at Rs 45,000 crore in Bihar was a major challenge and banks must review their functioning for financial inclusion of more and more people.

He also stressed on banks achieving the ACP target and providing loan to MSE.

NABARD Executive Director Amlesh Kumar said banks should give more attention towards achieving Credit Deposit Ratio target during 2011-12 which could be fulfilled by way of loans in agriculture sector.

Secretary, Financial Services, Government of India, S K Sharma asked banks to achieve CDR in Bihar at par with the national average of 70 per cent from the existing 34.

"For this, banks have to do a lot as the state has huge potentials in education, agriculture and upliftment of the minorities and weaker sections of the society," he said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi, also spoke at the meeting.