Chief general manager, SBI felicitates Jaipal Singh, ED CmF, in a ceremony cum consultation workshop with self-help promoting institutions (SHPIs) in Jaipur on November 25, 2009.

State Bank of India is a leading bank in terms of SHG-bank linkage at the national level. The bank has loan outstanding to more than one lakh SHGs in India. In Rajasthan they have linked about 12000 SHGs and are keen to increase SHG-bank linkage in Rajasthan. The bank's chief general manager (based in Delhi) Mr Pant visited Rajasthan on November 25, 2009 and they had organised a consultation meeting with NGOs working with self-help groups in the state. The Centre for microFinance had organised an interface meeting with NGOs and SBI last year. Since then the bank has been regularly consulting NGOs on microFinance.

SBI recognised the work of CmF, particularly their work with NGOs, sector report and training of bank managers to strengthen SHG movement. The bank felicitated 3 NGOs in Rajasthan, with CmF being one of them. Jaipal Singh, ED, CmF, received a shawl and a coconut as symbols of felicitation.

During the programme, Mr Singh addressed the participants and presented the status of the SHG movement, issues and suggested some actions that the bank could take. On being asked if they would consider taking up one or two districts on the lines of the Dungarpur project, the bank's reply was in the affirmative.