NBJK Organizes Bankers’ Orientation & Dialogue Workshop under SIDBI-Supported Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme

29 July 2025, Hazaribagh: Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK), with support from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), organized a Bankers’ Orientation cum Dialogue Workshop at its Coordination Office in Amritnagar, Hazaribagh, under the ongoing Micro Enterprise Promotion Programme (MEPP).

The workshop began with a welcome address by Programme Manager Mr. Vikas Joseph, who shared insights into the programme’s vision. Launched in October 2023, MEPP aims to promote 1,100 micro-entrepreneurs across five districts—Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Giridih, Khunti, and West Singhbhum—over a period of five years. So far, 453 entrepreneurs, including 170 from Hazaribagh, have successfully initiated enterprises with financial assistance from banks under various government schemes such as PMEGP, PMFME, Vishwakarma Yojana, and MUDRA.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shirish Tripathi, Coordinator of the District Industries Centre (DIC), Hazaribagh, emphasized the critical role played by banks, particularly public sector banks, in enabling the success of government enterprise schemes. He highlighted the vast potential in packaged food production units and the attractiveness of the Vishwakarma Yojana due to its low 5% annual interest rate.

SIDBI representative Mr. Sandeep Kumar urged bank officials to extend handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially in documentation, and to ensure timely disbursal of margin money. He also stressed the importance of connecting entrepreneurs to the broader MSME ecosystem for sustained growth.

Two local entrepreneurs, Mr. Saurabh Jaiswal, a spice manufacturer, and Mr. Mukesh Sahu, who runs a bike service centre, shared their success stories. Both received financial assistance through MEPP and are now generating employment for others.

Mr. Devendra Kumar from Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank’s Babugaon branch acknowledged the MSME sector’s contribution to GDP and advocated for piggery as a highly profitable rural enterprise.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Girija Satish, President of NBJK. The event saw participation from representatives of 22 banks, including Bank of India, Axis Bank, Canara Bank, Central Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Federal Bank, SBI, and UCO Bank, among others.

This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening rural entrepreneurship and building an ecosystem of self-reliant micro-enterprises in Jharkhand.