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as 'Nodal Agency' for implementing the scheme. The lead banks
would need to take expeditious steps to set up RSETIs as per the
plan projections” (p.36).
RESETIs have arisen out of the conversion of the erstwhile SGSY
programme into a full-fledged National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
Besides, there are large numbers of small and marginal farmers, marginal
farmers in particular, who would need to develop skills in ancillary and even
non-farm occupations, and therefore the setting up of RSETIs in all district
of the country by the banking system would be most crucial. Overseeing the
progress made in setting up the RSETIs in individual districts will be the
responsibility of the Lead Bank.
The Usha Thorat Committee has rightly viewed the imperatives of
integrating the State and District-Level Development Plans with
inclusive
growth
objectives with State and District Level Credit Plans with
financial
inclusion
goals, and the institutional arrangement for this is centred around
the Lead Bank Scheme and the associated potential-linked plans prepared
by NABARD in each district of the country. The banks have got to treat the
position of the Lead District Manager as a pivotal one in the whole programme
of financial inclusion.
