Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), chaired a meeting here today as a part of symposium on ‘Strengthening financial sustainability and operational viability of Regional Rubal Banks (RRBs) being conducted at College of Agricultural Banking, Pune on 11-12^th May 2023. Also present were Additional Secretary DFS, Chairman NABARD, CGM RBI, MD/EDs of Sponsor Banks and Chairpersons of RRBs to review the performance of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

During the meeting, the progress made by RRBs on various parameters fixed in their respective viability plans were reviewed. It was noted that there has been substantial improvement in the financial performance of RRBs in 2022-23 as compared to 2021-22. The need for technology upgradation of RRBs, strategies for NPA reduction, IT initiatives, improving financial inclusion, enhancing credit delivery to rural areas and support being given by sponsor banks to the RRBs were other issues that were discussed in the meeting.

Dr. Joshi, while addressing the gathering, emphasised that Sponsor Banks, in partnership with NABARD, need to proactively handhold their respective RRBs for facilitating technology adoption so as to enable them to serve their customers more efficiently. Dr. Joshi also urged RRBs to redouble their efforts for achieving the targets fixed in the Viability Plans within the next one year itself. 

Financial sustainability for regional rural banks via sponsor bank-led technology adoption and strict adherence to viability plans. Review focused on implementation and monitoring of viability plans for Regional Rural Banks, noting substantial year-on-year improvement and concentrating on technology upgradation, NPA reduction, IT initiatives, financial inclusion, and rural credit delivery. The Secretary emphasized sponsor banks' and NABARD's active handholding to facilitate technology adoption and urged RRBs to intensify efforts to achieve viability-plan targets within the next year.