Question : BANK LOAN TO WOMEN

(a) whether the Government has.,directed the public sector banks to realise the target of providing at least 5% of bank loans to women by the end of March, 2004;

(b) if so, the total number of banks which have achieved this target by the end of the above- said period, bank-wise;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether any action has been taken against such banks which have not achieved the aforesaid target;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the aforesaid banks have made available loans to the women during the current year; and (g) if so, the total amount of loans granted so far, during the last two years/bank-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM) :

(a) Yes, Sir. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised all the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to earmark 5% of their Net Bank Credit (NBC) for lending to women within three years, requiring the target to be achieved by 31.03.2004 respectively.

(b) and (c) 19 PSBs, out of 27 achieved the target by 31.03.2004. Bank-wise details of such banks are given in statement enclosed. However, out of the remaining 8 PSBs who did not achieve the target by the stipulated date, the Oriental Bank of Commerce achieved the target by September,2004 and State Bank of India, State Bank of Saurashtra & Centra! Bank of India, by December, 2004.

The remaining four banks, namely Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Dena Bank & UCO Bank are likely to achieve the target soon. The shortfall in achieving the target of 5% of NBC by these banks was mainly on account of higher rate of growth in NBC.

(d) to (g) The banks which could not achieve the target of lending 5% of NBC to women have been advised both by the RBI and the Govt. to take necessary steps to enhance credit to women in order to achieve the stipulated target.

The following banks which have not yet achieved the target of 5% of NBC to women have reported the amount of loans granted to the women during the last two years as under:-