In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav), Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), RD in collaboration with Nagaland Rural Bank (NRB) disbursed a loan amounting to Rs. 98 lakh to the 75 self-help groups (SHGs) on August 13. According to a DIPR report, during the programme, joint secretary, RD and mission director, Imtimenla said that the state mission objective was to bridge the trust between banks and the poor.
She informed that the state mission and banks had contributed equally to make SHG members “credit worthy” over the years.
Imtimenla said that the state mission was encouraged by the NRB chairman, Venkata Narayana’s proactive initiative in providing the loans to the SHGs.
She also informed that currently, there were 246 SHGs accessing financial services from NRB.
Further, Imtimenla expressed hope that the joint effort would continue to increase financial service coverage and bring change in the lives of the poor and marginalised.
Meanwhile, chairman, head office, NRB, V. Venkata Narayana expressed confidence in the credit worthiness of SHGs.
He also assured to extend support access to credit linkage to eligible SHGs.
Also speaking at the programme, chief operating officer (COO-programs), NSRLM, M. Rollan Lotha pointed out that the state mission had established a strong Community Based Recovery Mechanism (CBRM) committee in banks where SHGs were transacting.
To access the loan, he said each SHG member would develop their Household Investment Plan (HIP) which was consolidated as Micro Credit Plan (MCP) at SHG level. Regular handholding on building their knowledge and skills for taking up viable livelihoods was imparted to ensure that the plans were credit worthy. Earlier, the programme was chaired by SPM-FI, Rajuselie Lhousa and attended by mission director, COO-programs and Imonenla Imkong Phom, SPM-IBCB from the state mission, while the bank was represented by NRB chairman and bank managers of NRB branches.