DC Kathua reviews performance of Banks at DCC, DLRC meeting

• Emphasises improving credit flow, agri lending and social security coverage

KATHUA: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today chaired the District Consultative Committee (DCC) and District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meeting and reviewed the performance of banks with regard to credit deployment, implementation of government schemes and financial inclusion in the district.

Reviewing the Credit–Deposit (CD) Ratio, the Chairperson directed banks to work towards achieving the national benchmark of 60 percent. It was informed that the district’s CD ratio stood at 52.19 percent as on June 30, 2025, reflecting a decline of 0.42 percent. The DC instructed banks to undertake year-on-year as well as quarter-wise analysis to identify reasons for the decline and asked branches with CD ratios below the benchmark to intensify lending efforts.

The DC emphasized the need for increased focus on agricultural credit, pointing out that agricultural advances in District Kathua stood at Rs. 683.72 crore as on 30.09.2025, accounting for only 11.76 percent of overall advances. Banks were directed to scale up lending to the agriculture sector and clear pendency under the Kisan Credit Card scheme on priority. He also instructed banks to ensure coverage of all KCC loan account holders under PMFBY for the Rabi season.

The DC further directed to pursue pending loan applications under Centrally Sponsored Schemes with banks on an individual basis and ensure proper scrutiny and counselling of applicants. The Animal Husbandry Department was directed to reconcile sanctioned, pending and rejected loan applications with banks.

The Lead District Manager highlighted the need for coordinated efforts by banks to improve credit flow in priority sectors and urged branches to expedite sanction and disbursement of eligible loan cases. The LDM also briefed the meeting on overall banking performance in the district.

AGM and Lead District Officer, Reserve Bank of India emphasized the conduct of Financial Literacy Camps by all rural branches and advised banks to allocate targets in proportion to the number of rural branches. The RBI officer stressed optimal utilization of BC/CSP channels for creating awareness about banking products and services and called for regular review. The performance of banks under the ongoing Unclaimed Deposits Campaign was also reviewed, and banks were advised to participate actively.

The DC instructed banks to achieve targets under social security schemes including PMJDY, PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY and asked line departments to actively support financial awareness programmes to improve coverage.

The DC also reviewed the performance of CRISIL and Responsenet agencies and directed them to organize meaningful financial literacy and awareness camps with participation of officers from SDM and ADC offices. The meeting was informed on the status of opening of a new J&K Grameen Bank branch at Village Dilwan.

Taking serious note of delays in submission of data, the DC directed banks and departments to submit DGGI data by the 5th of every month and LBS data by the 10th of each quarter, warning that non-compliance would invite strict action. CPO Kathua Ranjit Thakur, Officers of concerned departments and Banks were also present.