J&K Bank conducts Conclave of RSETI Directors

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Beneficiary only can certify the performance of institutes, says Chairman

JKBANKSrinagar: In the country, we still have 35 to 40 pc of our population living below poverty line and until we build their capacities and increase their purchasing power we cannot realise the goals of our economic development. And the purpose of these Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI’s) is only to make these huge chunks of population financially aware, equip them with conceptual clarity and hand-hold them till they earn a dignified living in their respective societies.

 This was stated by Mushtaq Ahmad, Chairman and CEO, J&K Bank today while chairing the inaugural function of “Two-day Conclave of RSETI Directors” held here at the Bank's Corporate Headquarters. An in-house corporate film on the functioning and the impact of JKB RSETIs was screened on the occasion.

 Secretary, J&K Rural Development Department Khursheed Ahmad, Deputy Secretary MoRD (GoI) Tapish Chandra Nautiyal, National Director RSETI’s (Monitoring Cell) K N Janardhana, Project Director NIRD O N Bansal, Bank’s Senior President S K Bhat, Vice Presidents, State Director RSETI’s J&K, Directors RSETIs, Faculty RSETIs, LDMs and few successful entrepreneurs attended the conclave.

 While lauding the performance of JKB RSETIs which have figured in the ‘Excellent’ list at national level, Mushtaq Ahmad said, "It is commendable on part of these institutes to get ‘A’ Grade, but it is the beneficiary only who can certify the performance and the rating of institutes.”

Going beyond the fact and figures list, Chairman proposed to sponsor the survey by a competent agency to ascertain the actual transformation in the lives of beneficiaries on ground.

“We need to have a comprehensive follow up of this whole RSETI programme through a survey so as to know what qualitative changes these institutes have been able to make in the lives of beneficiaries”, he said.

 Meanwhile, 8 out of the bank’s 12 RSETI’s have figured in ‘Excellent’ list, 3 in ‘Very Good’ and 1 in ‘Good’ list.

 Taking strong note of poor performance of few institutes, Chairman said, “Those who perform well shall be rewarded adequately in their career progression also while as the non-performers shall also have to pay. There has to be accountability at all the levels.”

He announced Rs 50000 cash award for the RSETIs with more than 95 pc achievement while as Rs 25000 for other good performers.

 Speaking on the occasion, Dy. Secy. MoRD (GoI) Tapish Chandra seconded the views of Chairman J&K Bank saying, “Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad has blended his message so well that most of what I have to say has become irrelevant. I feel very impressed by the way he has articulated his ideas on the whole issue.”

There is good news for people associated with the RSETIs as the government of India has approved a policy for these people, which will be communicated to the concerned soon. Besides, on behalf of GoI, I assure you of complete support whenever needed, he added.

 However, he raised the issue of land for these institutes and requested the state government to provide the same at the earliest.

 Secy. Khursheed Ahmad informed the conclave about the land issue saying, “I would like to inform all of you here that the state government has already completed the identification process of state land for RSETI’s in 13 districts of the state, which shall be allotted in a couple of months from now after following the due procedure.”

 “However, on the issue of RSETI performance I also strongly endorse the views of Chairman J&K Bank that the ultimate certificate for any programme must come from the benficieries themselves”, he added.

 Few of the entrepreneurs also spoke on the occasion. They recounted their journey from awareness camps to successfully establishing their profitable units.

“It is the training at the RSETI that helped me overcome my fears and find many of my own strengths. The trainings helped in building my capacities to earn a dignified livelihood for my-self along with many more like me”, said a female beneficiary on the occasion.

“I am thankful to the bank for its immense support in times of need, hand-holding, training and finances”, she added.

 Later, K Janardhana expressed happiness over the conduct of conclave by the Bank. He gave a brief overview of the RSETI movement and identified certain gaps in functioning of RSETIs and discussed various important issues on the occasion.

 Senior President S K Bhat moderated the event besides making valuable interventions. The conclave held an open house discussion on the innovative efforts of RSETI’s besides steps and other initiatives in RSETI movement.

 Notably, during the year 2014-15, 7243 candidates have received the training at the bank's RSETIs in 204 training programmes so far, out of which 4262 have established their own small enterprises and have engaged in wage employment activities. While as during the fisr half of 2015-16, 2328 candidates received trainings in different activities and out of these 1266 got settled.

 Since inception, however, 10735 candidates were able to establish their own small businesses out of 17625 trained candidates.

 The conclave shall further deliberate upon various technical and practical issues related to the functioning of RSETIs tomorrow. (KNS)

 

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