Union Finance Ministry’s Department of Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju on Tuesday urged beneficiaries in Tripura to use productive loans responsibly and avoid loan defaults, as banks and financial institutions distributed more than Rs 524 crore through major credit outreach programmes held in Agartala and Udaipur.
Quick Glance
- More than Rs 524 crore distributed through banking outreach programmes in Tripura
- DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju stresses financial discipline and entrepreneurship
- Over 14,700 beneficiaries received loan sanction letters across sectors
- CSR funds announced for ambulances, rural healthcare and skill development
Agartala: Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Union Finance Ministry, M. Nagaraju, on Tuesday stressed the importance of proper utilisation of productive loans and entrepreneur-driven employment generation in Tripura.
Speaking at banking outreach programmes in Agartala and Udaipur, Nagaraju warned borrowers against allowing loans to become non-performing assets (NPAs). He said beneficiaries must maintain financial discipline to ensure sustainable economic growth.
According to him, government-backed credit schemes can transform the state’s economy if people use the loans for productive and income-generating activities. He also highlighted the growing role of self-employment and small entrepreneurship in reducing unemployment in Tripura.
Nagaraju further urged banks and financial institutions to expand Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities for skill development and entrepreneurship promotion. He said empowering young entrepreneurs would strengthen businesses and reduce loan default risks.
Mega Credit Outreach Event:
Proper Use of Productive Loans & Avoid NPA :
A mega Credit Outreach Programme took place at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala under the initiative of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) and lead bank Punjab National Bank.
The event drew participation from senior officials of major banks and government departments. Among those present were Tripura Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha, PNB Executive Director M. Paramasivam, Managing Director of State Bank of India Ashwini Kumar Tewari, MD and CEO of UCO Bank A. C. Aghorani Kumar and Deputy Managing Director of NABARD Gobardhan Singh Rawat.
During the programme, banks distributed loan sanction letters worth Rs 419.11 crore among 10,162 accounts under different government schemes.
Loan Distribution Snapshot
| Location | Beneficiaries | Loan Amount | Major Schemes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agartala | 10,162 | Rs 419.11 crore | Mudra, PMEGP, PM SVANidhi, PM Vishwakarma, MSMEs, KCC |
| Udaipur | 4,577 | Rs 105.40 crore | Retail loans, SHGs, MSMEs, PMEGP, KCC |
The loans covered retail lending, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PM SVANidhi, PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, MSMEs, Kisan Credit Card schemes, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
CSR Initiatives Focus on Rural Healthcare and Skill Development
The programme also witnessed several CSR-backed welfare announcements aimed at strengthening healthcare and rural infrastructure in Tripura.
Under CSR support and assistance from NABARD, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India provided one ambulance each to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of West Tripura district.
Meanwhile, State Bank of India sanctioned Rs 36.28 lakh from its CSR fund for modernisation and installation of life-saving equipment in 20 ambulances. UCO Bank also approved Rs 24.56 lakh for another ambulance for the West Tripura CMO office.
In another important initiative, NABARD sanctioned Rs 15.06 lakh to Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) for providing plastic technology training to rural youths.
Banking Expansion Reaches Remote Areas
The programme also marked the virtual inauguration of a new ATM of Punjab National Bank at Pecharthal in Unakoti district and a new branch of Union Bank of India at Santirbazar.
Additionally, a new Customer Service Point (CSP) of State Bank of India was launched to improve banking access in rural regions.
Tripura Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha said the expansion of banking infrastructure in remote areas would directly benefit people living in far-flung locations. He added that the initiatives would strengthen financial inclusion and bring positive transformation to the banking sector in the state.
Tribal Development and Rural Livelihood Support
Apart from mainstream banking assistance, the programme also focused on tribal welfare and rural livelihood generation.
Grants worth Rs 1.61 crore were announced for 34 Reang tribal beneficiaries under a NABARD-supported tribal development initiative in Udaipur.
Additionally, authorities unveiled a scientific piggery farming project worth Rs 34.16 lakh for 70 farmers through the Bagma Agri Producer Company.
Officials believe such targeted interventions will improve rural income generation and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in Tripura.
News Analysis
The large-scale credit outreach initiative signals a deeper push by the Centre and banking institutions to expand formal financial access in Tripura. The combined loan distribution of over Rs 524 crore indicates aggressive efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship, rural business growth and self-employment in the state.
M. Nagaraju’s repeated emphasis on productive utilisation of loans and prevention of NPAs reflects growing concern among policymakers over financial sustainability. While easy access to loans can boost economic activities, repayment discipline remains critical for maintaining the health of the banking system.
The simultaneous focus on healthcare infrastructure, tribal welfare and skill development suggests that financial inclusion is being linked with broader social development goals. Expansion of ATMs, CSPs and bank branches in remote districts also highlights efforts to reduce the urban-rural banking gap in Tripura.
If implemented effectively, these initiatives could significantly strengthen micro-enterprises, agriculture-linked businesses and rural entrepreneurship across the state.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
What is the total loan amount distributed in Tripura’s credit outreach programmes?
Banks distributed more than Rs 524 crore through programmes held in Agartala and Udaipur.
What warning did DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju give to borrowers?
He urged beneficiaries to utilise loans productively and avoid turning them into non-performing assets (NPAs).
Which sectors received financial assistance under the programme?
The assistance covered MSMEs, Mudra loans, Kisan Credit Cards, SHGs, PMEGP, PM Vishwakarma, PM SVANidhi and other sectors