In a significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion and support for the fisheries sector, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), chaired a meeting focusing on the ‘Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan.’
At the meeting, Likhi emphasized the need for expansion of the KCC facility to the last mile of the fisheries value chain, ensuring that every eligible individual is covered.
He stated that the reasons for rejection of KCC applications must be analysed and that the efforts made to reduce the rejection and approval of application needs to be fast tracked. The Secretary informed that the Special KCC campaign during Sagar Parikrama is encouraging and urged all the participants for their cooperation to ensure the successful execution of the ‘Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’.
The meeting was attended by the senior officers from various States and Union Territories, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Scheduled Commercial Banks, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fishries, talked about the aims and objectives of the ‘Ghar Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’ and emphasised the importance of effective participation of States/UTs and Banks for successful implementation of the Abhiyaan.
He mentioned that the campaign aims to achieve universal financial inclusion, ensuring that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities that drive their agricultural pursuits.
The Joint Secretary also highlighted the issues faced by beneficiaries related to documents and bank procedures as informed by the States and Union Territories.
He informed that KCC for 1,59,903 have been sanctioned, at the cost of Rs 1746.16 crore. He also highlighted that there is need to increase awareness on latest RBI guidelines issued regarding eligibility for fishers to get KCC. He emphasized that analysis of rejection of applications and corrective measures to be taken by the banks and other stakeholders so that maximum beneficiaries may get its benefit.
The participants from States Union Territories explained their perspective on the issues and challenges in mobilisation of applications, eligibility criterion, credit limit and documentation. They also assured their full cooperation during the ongoing Abhiyaan.
NABARD, Scheduled Commercial Banks, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and RBI assured that they will give special focus on ‘Ghar-Ghar KCC Abhiyaan’ for fisheries sector and ensure that there is saturation of eligible fishers and fish farmers with KCC facility.
