<h1>Finance Minister directs public banks to boost lending while maintaining risk standards after rate cuts</h1> The Finance Minister directed public sector banks to increase lending to productive sectors while maintaining strong risk management standards. This follows the central bank's recent 50 basis point repo rate cut to 5.5% and cash reserve ratio reduction. Banks were instructed to focus on renewable energy financing, develop credit models for small modular nuclear reactors, and expand presence in international financial centers. A three-month financial inclusion campaign will begin covering rural and urban areas. Performance metrics showed total bank business grew from 203 to 251 lakh crore, while net NPAs declined from 1.24% to 0.52% between 2022-25.