Kolkata, Aug 4 (KNN) The State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) has announced a credit target of Rs 2 lakh crore for West Bengal’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector for the financial year 2025-26.
The committee has also projected a 15 percent growth in credit disbursement for the state’s agriculture sector during the same period.
These targets were disclosed by SLBC convenor and Punjab National Bank General Manager Balbir Singh during a financial inclusion program titled ‘Varta’ held on Thursday.
The announcement reflects the banking sector’s continued focus on supporting key economic sectors in the state.
According to Singh, the SLBC successfully achieved its credit target of Rs 1.8 lakh crore for the MSME sector in West Bengal during 2024-25.
The state currently houses 45 lakh registered MSMEs, representing seven percent of India’s total registered micro, small and medium enterprises, highlighting West Bengal’s significant contribution to the country’s MSME landscape.
In the agricultural sector, banks disbursed Rs 1 lakh crore during 2024-25, with similar disbursement levels expected for the current financial year.
The credit allocation to self-help groups is projected to increase to Rs 35,000 crore in the current fiscal year, up from Rs 30,000 crore in the previous year.
Singh noted that West Bengal’s credit-deposit ratio stands at 70 percent, which exceeds the minimum required ratio of 40 percent. However, he highlighted regional disparities within the state, noting that 14 districts maintain credit-deposit ratios significantly below the state average.
In contrast, Kolkata and Cooch Behar districts have achieved credit-deposit ratios exceeding 100 percent, indicating robust lending activity in these areas.
(KNN Bureau)
