Gyalshing DLCC reviews financial progress, urges stronger outreach and inclusion

The District Level Consultative Committee (DLCC) and District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meeting for the quarter ending 2025 was held today at Yangthang Farm, Pelling, in Gyalshing district.

Chaired by District Collector Tenzing D. Denzongpa, who also serves as Chairman of both DLCC and DLRC, the session brought together key stakeholders including Zilla Member of Gyalshing-Omchung Territorial Constituency, Mr. Sagar Sharma; Lead District Officer (RBI) Mr. Sohan Singh; Lead District Manager (SBI Gangtok) Mr. Anit Lamichaney; along with representatives from various government departments and financial institutions.

The core focus of the meeting was to review the progress made in implementing financial and economic initiatives across the district. The agenda spanned the evaluation of banking sector performance, particularly in agriculture, MSME, housing finance, education loans, and other priority and non-priority sectors.

Addressing the gathering, DC Denzongpa stressed the importance of close coordination between banks and government departments to streamline the benefits of financial schemes to the grassroots. He urged banks to ease access to financial services for farmers and ensure they receive proper counselling to make informed financial decisions. Emphasis was laid on the timely submission of reports and increased awareness through Financial Literacy Programmes at the Gram Panchayat Unit level.

The meeting highlighted concerns regarding banks with Credit-Deposit (CD) ratios below 40% and those performing below 20%, urging them to intensify efforts to reach set benchmarks. Discussions also covered key schemes such as the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Kishan Credit Card scheme under the Animal Husbandry Department, and savings-credit linkage of Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM).

A detailed review of social security initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, was also conducted. Bank branches were advised to conduct regular Block Level Bankers’ Committee (BLBC) meetings to ensure constant communication and ground-level monitoring.

The committee commended stakeholders for the successful rollout of District Bank Wise Loan Disbursement for Minority Communities and appreciated the ongoing Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling Campaigns. DC Denzongpa reiterated his vision to make Gyalshing a model district with a vibrant financial ecosystem built on outreach, inclusion, and accountability.