In the aftermath of the recent catastrophic floods in Tripura, banks have pleaded to join hands with various departments of the State Government in assisting the flood victims to recover and rehabilitate.
Notably, amidst ongoing efforts to reach out to the flood victims, Chief Secretary of Tripura, J.K. Sinha convened a crucial meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) at the Secretariat on Monday to strategize on relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting saw the participation of senior officials, including secretaries, special secretaries, directors, and other high-ranking representatives from multiple state departments.
During the discussions, officials provided comprehensive reports detailing the damage inflicted by the floods on various sectors.
At a press briefing following the meeting, Finance Secretary Apurba Roy shared the outcomes of the deliberations held in the Secretariat’s conference hall.
He emphasized that representatives from various banks had expressed their firm commitment to support those impacted by the disaster, with a particular focus on the agricultural community, which has been severely affected.
The banks have pledged to collaborate closely with relevant government departments to set up camps in the flood-affected regions, said Roy.
He also added, “These camps will provide financial aid, including loans, to help individuals and businesses recover from their losses.”
The Finance Secretary further elaborated that the banks have also promised assistance under several government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (both Urban and Rural) to aid flood victims in rebuilding their homes.
Other schemes that will be prioritized include the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Swabalamban, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Kisan Credit Card for farmers, educational loans, rural infrastructure development, and efforts to improve the Credit-Deposit Ratio in the state.
During the meeting, secretaries from various departments shared their damage assessments with the banking authorities to facilitate the provision of targeted financial support. The Agriculture Department, currently assessing the full extent of crop damage, is expected to submit a detailed report within a week, which will enable banks to devise specific assistance plans for farmers.
Reports from the Animal Resources Development and Fisheries departments highlighted significant losses in livestock and aquaculture, underscoring the broad impact of the floods.
Departments such as Social Welfare and Social Education, Education, Rural Development, Industry and Commerce, and Urban Development also presented their evaluations of the losses incurred.
The press conference was also attended by Director of Group Insurance and Institutional Finance, Rakhi Biswas, and SLBC Convenor Khaturaj Krishna, who reiterated the banking sector’s commitment to providing timely and effective support to those affected by the disaster.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
