Focus on priority sector lending, youth-centric schemes and improved credit outreach”
Jammu: J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Saturday chaired the 17th meeting of the UT-Level Bankers’ Committee (UTLBC) in Jammu to review the performance of Banks and Financial Institutions in providing credit and other banking services during the first quarter and first half of the current financial year 2025–26.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary highlighted the resilience of the banking sector in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) despite challenges such as the Pahalgam terror attack, cross-border tensions, and floods. The focus remains on enhancing lending to the priority sector, particularly agriculture, which is seen as a significant opportunity for economic upliftment in the region. Stakeholders emphasized the need for banks to provide hassle-free loans under various government schemes aimed at fostering self-employment among youth, including the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and Mission YUVA. The Chief Secretary urged banks to improve their lending practices, particularly in agriculture, housing, education, and social infrastructure, which are crucial for the overall growth of J&K. He called for increased outreach to unbanked and under-banked areas to ensure broader access to banking services. Additionally, there was a push for better enrollment in social security schemes and timely claims settlement. Amitava Chatterjee, MD & CEO of J&K Bank, expressed optimism about the banking sector’s role in driving economic transformation and committed to supporting initiatives that promote financial empowerment and entrepreneurship. The meeting also reviewed the performance of banks, noting that Rs 43,017 Crore had been disbursed to over 10 lakh beneficiaries in the first half of the financial year 2025-26. The event concluded with a call for prompt implementation of decisions to facilitate inclusive and sustainable economic development in the region.
