RBI, Ahmedabad Regional Office, convened the Second High-Level Review Meeting on Financial Inclusion and Economic Development in Dang district at Saputara

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ahmedabad Regional Office, convened the Second High-Level Review Meeting on Financial Inclusion and Economic Development in Dang district at Saputara on November 02, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Shri Amaresh Ranjan, Regional Director, RBI Ahmedabad. Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda, attended the meeting as a special invitee. Shri G. V. Sunil Kumar, Chief General Manager, NABARD, and Shri Balaji Kumar Singhsamanta, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, along with State Heads of banks operating in the district, senior representatives of the District Administration and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the district, also participated in the meeting.

The meeting was convened to deliberate upon the fundamental challenges affecting financial inclusion and economic activity in the district and to identify targeted interventions for sustainable livelihood development. During the meeting, the Regional Director emphasised the need for banks to move beyond a conventional credit-centric approach and adopt an integrated development strategy, wherein access to institutional finance is complemented by adequate infrastructure, skill development, aggregation and market linkages.

He highlighted that the unique geographical and economic characteristics of Dang, including its hilly terrain, dispersed settlements, limited cultivable land and connectivity constraints, present distinct challenges to the district's development. Accordingly, a focused approach, tailored to the local conditions and requirements of the district, is essential to address these challenges.

The Regional Director also highlighted the considerable potential of tourism centred around the district's cultural heritage and emphasised that its effective utilisation could generate new employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities. He further stressed the need to strengthen telecommunications connectivity in the district, noting its importance in enhancing access to financial services, promoting economic activities and accelerating overall development.

During the meeting, the important role of the Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company (GLPC) in strengthening and empowering Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was highlighted. GLPC was also requested to facilitate credit linkage for SHGs and support their integration with appropriate markets to promote the marketing of their products, enhance their marketability and ensure sustainable sources of income.

The other dignitaries present at the meeting also emphasised that the success of financial inclusion initiatives should not be limited to ensuring access to banking services and institutional credit, but should translate into tangible improvements in the socio-economic well-being of the people of Dang. They highlighted the importance of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, promoting viable enterprises, strengthening market linkages and facilitating access to remunerative markets. They further underscored that these efforts should ultimately result in increased incomes, greater participation of local communities in economic activities and long-term livelihood security.

One day prior to the meeting, the Regional Director, accompanied by officials from NABARD, interacted with local entrepreneurs, leaders of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to gain first-hand insights into the challenges and operational bottlenecks faced by them at the grassroots level.