Service area approach: lead bank scheme

The objective of this book is to prepare realistic credit plans of Service Areas and their effective implementation with minimum efforts; and to acquaint the readers with the updated and detailed guidelines of Service Area Approach and Lead Bank Scheme. An attempt has been made through this book to rectify the bottlenecks visualised in the implementation of Service Area Approach by incorporating newly developed methodologies which entail-
(i) Gathering of data quickly along with its sources
(ii) Assessment of potential of different activities
(iii) Identification of beneficiaries
(iv) Dovetailing resources and staff capacity
(v) Realistic credit planning
(vi) Integration of credit plans into Performance Budget; and
(vii) Action Calendars.
For the effective implementation of Service Area Approach, roles of various officials at different levels have been elaborated and to solve the possible issues, practicable solutions are also given thereagainst. To monitor the credit plans, a simplified procedure to fill up LBR returns along with examples has been incorporated. Study reports of Service Area Approach and Lead Bank Scheme by the apex level organisations have also been included.
NABARD's guidelines in regard to the preparation of Potential Linked Credit Plans are integrated to improve the quality of Service Area Credit Plans.

NIBM'S action research project Planning for Development Villages' (PDV) is incorporated which is an enlightening exercise in elucidating the basic concept, methodology utilised and the experiences gathered.
The book will prove immensely useful for the banking personnel working in rural, semi-urban and urban areas, Lead Bank Offices, NABARD and RBI Offices as well as in District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs), Block Development Offices, District Industry Centres, Research Institutes and other rural development agencies.