NABARD conducted State Level Bankers cum Stakeholders meeting on 16^th October 2025 at Gangtok. The meeting was chaired by Shri Thotngam Jamang, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Gangtok. The meeting was also guided by Deputy Director General, Department of Telecommunications, GoI, NABARD RO and participated by a team led by Shri Ajay Kumar Sinha, GM/OiC, Sikkim RO, SLBC Officials and representatives from various Banks (including SFB).

Shri Mewang Lowang, AGM, NABARD, Sikkim RO welcomed all the participants and highlighted the objectives of the meeting. Shri Ajay Kumar Sinha, GM/OIC, NABARD Sikkim interacted with the participants and highlighted the relentless efforts of NABARD in spearheading the initiatives of Financial Inclusion in collaboration with other stakeholders across the country. He emphasized the gaps in financial inclusion such as the lack of penetration of banking services in remote areas, poor internet connectivity in some parts of the state, and lack of adequate financial literacy. He urged the banks to approach financial inclusion holistically and leverage the support available under FIF.

Shri M.M. Ur Rehman, Deputy Director General, WB LSA, Department of Telecommunications, GoI, highlighted the overall scenario of the telecommunication setup in Sikkim state and technicalities regarding the internet connectivity issues faced by the banks and common public in general. He urged the banks to avail themselves of banking technology and connectivity and power infrastructure support from NABARD under FIF.

Shri Thotngam Jamang, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Gangtok in his special remarks, harped on why Banks were reluctant to avail the support from NABARD under the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF). He expressed concern over the lack of requisite participation by banks in financial inclusion initiatives. He underscored the need for banks to bring uncovered people under the ambit of financial inclusion. He advised all the banks to proactively plan their activities and seek support under FIF from NABARD as per their requirement. He also urged all the stakeholders to work in close coordination with each other and workout plans to avail support under FIF at the earliest.

Shri Samyak Jain, AM, Regional Office gave a detailed presentation on the schemes available under the Financial Inclusion Fund, procedures for sanction and disbursement, schemes implemented in Sikkim and major focus areas of RO for FY 2025-26. Banks shared their experiences and expressed keen interest in availing themselves of the support under the Financial Inclusion Fund. The meeting was concluded with a wrap-up and vote of thanks by Shri Anil Kumar Yadav, DGM, NABARD.

NABARD Sikkim conducted State Level Bankers cum Stakeholders meeting at Gangtok. Thotngam Jamang, Regional Director, @RBI , Gangtok chaired the meeting; highlighted the relentless efforts of NABARD in financial inclusion.@PIB_India @FinMinIndia @NABARDOnline @MIB_India pic.twitter.com/SNAdySK83s

— PIB in Sikkim (@PIBGangtok) October 16, 2025

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