Bankers need not Worry about HYDRAA: Bhatti

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said bankers need not worry about HYDRAA as the agency is not involved in giving permissions to construction of buildings.

Speaking at the special bankers’ conference at Praja Bhavan here on Wednesday, Bhatti Vikramarka said that GHMC, town planning and other government departments alone will examine all parameters and give approvals for the constructions and any government will continue them.

"HYDRAA will deal with security, traffic regulation, prevent encroachment of parks and lakes by encroachers," he clarified.

Bhatti Vikramarka welcomed the convening of special meeting with an objective to extend support to certain government departments through the banking sector.

The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the bankers, Special CS Finance Ramakrishna Rao for taking the initiative in organising the meeting.

"Some are of the notion that free bus travel for women is to merely enable women travel freely, but it is not so. The Mahalakshmi scheme helps women to live with respect and dignity. Women should venture out of their homes, see the outside world and learn about the opportunities available for becoming financially independent.They should be able to set up business units and become financially strong. The objective behind free bus travel is to give financial support to women," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister further stated that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and entire Cabinet has decided to extend Rs 20,000 crore interest free loans to SHGs this year and if possible government would extend more loans.

The corporate commercial banks are charging 9 to 13 per cent interest and bankers should work with social responsibility. The rules for extending loans should be simplified, Bhatti advised.

In the private sector, loan recovery rate of banks was quite less, but the loan recovery rate for loans extended to SHGs was more than 98 per cent. Thus bankers must extend more loans to women SHG groups at lesser interest, he suggested.

The Deputy Chief Minister further stated that the State government is considering buying buses and give them on lease to increase income of SHGs.

"Government is also taking up many programmes to increase the income of SHGs. The Micro, small and medium scale industrial parks are being set up in every constituency and women will be given special allotments in these centres. If bankers extended their help with a broad mind and heart, livelihood and economic development opportunities would become possible in rural areas," he said.

Later, speaking to the media at Pragathi Bhavan, the Deputy Chief Minister said the personal details of the people would be kept in secret during the household survey so that the people need not bother about the matter.

"This survey is being conducted to provide equal opportunities for all. It is not intended to remove the schemes or beneficiaries. People can liberally disclose their details during the household survey," Bhatti said.