The three major Cooperative Banks were providing credit facility to weak Public Sector Undertakings of the State besides playing a key role in effective implementation of all flagship schemes of the State such as Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna, Mudra Yojna, Atal Pension Yojna and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna etc. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the meeting of Cooperative Department here today.Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh State Cooperative Bank was the first State Cooperative Bank to run all its branches on Core Bank Solution. He said that the bank has more than 2 lakh ATM sharing facility through Rupay Cards besides being the first cooperative bank in the country to implement automated NPA system. He said that the bank was also providing mobile banking services through HIMPESA App.Jai Ram Thakur said that the cooperative banks share in the banking industry of the State was 20 percent. He said that out of total 2194 branches of various banks in the State 512 were of cooperative sector banks. He said that this include 241 branches of H.P. State Cooperative Bank, 240 branches of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank and 31 branches of Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank. He said that H.P. State Cooperative Bank has its branches in Bilaspur, Chamba, Kinnaur, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur districts whereas Kangra Central Cooperative Bank has its branches in Kullu, Kangra, Hamirpur, Lahaul-Spiti and Una districts. Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank has its branches in Solan district, he added.Chief Minister said that the H.P. State Cooperative Bank has Rs. 11814.67 crore deposits whereas the deposits of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank is Rs. 11539.15 crore during the year 2019-20.
He said that the H.P. State Cooperative Bank has disbursed agricultural loan worth Rs. 1029 crore during the financial year 2019-20 whereas Kangra Central Cooperative Bank has disbursed agricultural loan worth Rs. 598.58 crore for the year 2019-20 which shows the commitment of the banks towards strengthening the economy of the farmers.Jai Ram Thakur said that H.P. State Cooperative Bank has earned profit of unaudited amount of Rs. 58.33 crore, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank of Rs. 48.70 crore and Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank has earned profit of Rs. 6.31 crore during the year 2019-20. He said that these banks have succeeded in winning public trust as they are perceived as State Government Institution.Cooperation Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal thanked the Chief Minister for evincing keen interest in strengthening the cooperative banks in the State.Chairman H.P. State Cooperative Bank Khushi Ram Balnahta, Chairman Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj and representative of Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank urged the Chief Minister for inclusion of Cooperative Banks as Member Lending Institutions (MLI) under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises Scheme.It was decided in the meeting that appointments in the banks on compassionate ground would be made as per the policy of the State Government.Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister J.C. Sharma, Secretary Finance Akshay Sood, Registrar Cooperative Societies Hansraj and other senior officers also attended the meeting.