Massive”Kisan Goshthi” Organised by Allahabad Bank at Bolpur

A massive Kisan Goshthi was organized by Allahabad Bank at Bolpur today in Geetanjali Auditorium. Shri Somnath Chatterjee, Speaker Lok Sabha, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and Shri Subhas Chakraborty, Minister-In- Charge of Transport & Sports was special guest.

Shri O.N Singh Chairman & Managing Director Allahabad Bank in his opening speech mentioned that Allahabad bank has been emphasizing on building up relationship with the farmers organizing Kisan Goshthis in various states. Being encouraged by the overwhelming response of the farmers we are organizing this Kisan Goshthi at Bolpur of Birbhum district of the State. Shri Singh mentioned that Kisan Goshthis have become an effective tool in disseminating various information related to improved agricultural practices, credit availability and marketing of produce. The farmers are encouraged to participate in these Goshthis because of direct and quick access to credit for which they are not required to visit branches frequently thereby saving the incidental costs generally incurred on account of traveling, food and wage losses.

Shri Singh also added that Allahabad Bank has taken initiative in providing training, credit and various backward and forward linkages to the farmers and entrepreneurs. The model formulated by the Bank for providing the above inputs in an integrated manner has been operationalised at Indira Gandhi Farmers’ & Entrepreneurs Development Institute set up by the Bank at Rae Bareily and inaugurated by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, M.P., from Rae Bereilly, on 8th July 2005.Shri Singh announced that Bank has planned to set up similar Institute in West Bengal also.

While speaking to the farmers at the Kisan Goshthi, Shri Somnath Chatterjee appreciated the efforts of the Allahabad Bank in organizing the Kisan Goshthi on such a large scale. He said that this type of events play critical role in bridging the knowledge gap of the farmers and entrepreneurs to enable them to take up agriculture and other income generating activities in a more profitable manner. Shri Chatterjee hoped that Allahabad Bank will keep up its efforts in increasing the outreach of the banking facilities for the economic empowerment of the vulnerable sections of the rural society such as small/marginal farmers, bargadars, women and entrepreneurs.

Shri Subhas Chakraborty, Minister-In-Charge Transport & Sports, Government of West Bengal complemented the initiatives of Allahabad Bank in organizing this Kisan Goshthi which is an important platform for establishing direct relationship with the farmers.

At this Kisan Goshthi 1400 farmers have been assisted with loans of Rs. 5.90 crore through various schemes such as Kisan Credit Card, Kisan Shakti Yojana, Tractor, Power tiller, sprayer, pump set, fishery etc.The dignitaries participating in the Kisan Goshthi distributed the loans and assets to the farmer s borrowers.

On the occasion of the Kisan Goshthi, exhibition stalls were set up by Allahabad bank and other organizations/ institutions/Borrowers displaying their products, information and various services. The farmers visited the stalls and took keen interest to know various information on bank’s loan schemes, vermin composting, solar lighting system, handicrafts displayed at the stalls. The dignitaries also visited the stalls and appreciated the efforts made in displaying various products and information to the farmers.

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