NOV 30:Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired the 17th Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory Level Bankers’ Committee (UTLBC) meeting in Jammu, where he conducted a comprehensive review of the performance of banking institutions across the region. The meeting placed a strong emphasis on improving the efficiency and impact of financial services, particularly within priority sectors that play a crucial role in the economic growth of the Union Territory.
During the session, Dulloo highlighted the need for banks to significantly enhance their credit flow to agriculture, horticulture, and other allied sectors that form the backbone of rural livelihoods in J&K. He stressed that the agriculture sector must receive more robust and targeted financial support so that farmers can access better opportunities, infrastructure, and income-generating activities. Strengthening agricultural credit, he noted, would not only uplift rural communities but also contribute to broader economic stability.
A major portion of the discussion focused on youth-centric financial schemes, with the Chief Secretary urging banks to make these initiatives more accessible and result-oriented. He encouraged financial institutions to intensify their outreach efforts to ensure that young entrepreneurs, job seekers, and skill-trained youth can avail themselves of credit facilities that enable self-employment and enterprise creation. According to Dulloo, empowering youth through financial support remains a pivotal priority for sustained development.
The performance of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their access to bank credit was another critical area of evaluation. Dulloo advised banks to streamline lending processes to SHGs so that more women and rural collectives can benefit from financial inclusion and sustainable livelihood programs.
He also underscored the importance of expanding enrolments in various social security schemes to ensure that vulnerable populations receive adequate protection and financial coverage. By urging banks to improve their service delivery, strengthen grassroots credit outreach, and enhance digital financial access, the Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting inclusive, transparent, and responsive governance in the banking sector across the Union Territory.Jammu and Kashmir, UTLBC, Financial Inclusion, Priority Sector Lending, Youth Empowerment, Banking Sector, Agriculture Credit, Self Help Groups, Social Security Schemes, Good Governance, Atal Dulloo, J&K Administration
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