Mayuri Rajbonshi
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010: The concept of Financial and Social Inclusion for underprivileged has been spreading through various NGO meets in Maharashtra by Don Bosco Research Centre, Mumbai. On September 17, a meeting was held at the Good Shepherd Convent, Virar, for NGOs engaged in social action for the Diocese of Vasai, one of the points of the agenda was the explaining about the importance of financial and social inclusion of the poor for a better India. Most NGOs faced a common problem that many schemes and services though meant for the poor, remains inaccessible due to lack of identity or other forms of documentation. Making a PAN card as proof of identity and opening an SBI tiny saving account helps solve many of these issues.
Sanmitra an NGO has been appointed as a nodal agency for Unit Trust of India to issue PAN cards as well as a Business Correspondent (BC) for the State Bank of India has been appointed to help NOGs become CSPs (Customer Service Provider) to issue SBI tiny savings accounts for the poor in the slums and villages. This service was made open to the attending NGOs. Many took this up and decided to follow up on the lead given through Sanmitra.
Following up on this meeting the Don Bosco Research Centre organized a further workshop on September 27, at Bosco Boys Home, Borivali, NGOs were given practical instructions on how to make and submit Pan Cards for poor through the nodal agency via this network,. Many organizations form Mumbai, Vasai, Pune and Karjat participated. Mrs Kirti Joshi Manager, UTITSL explained the process, verified the documents of proof and took a practical session on how to fill up the form correctly she also how to avoid rejection/ cancellation of the application later. Mr. Pandit took a session explaining the details of a micro pension plan for those who could save Rs.200/- pm up to the age of fifty – eight years. And enjoy a pension upon retirement.The meeting ended up with a discussion on how to make this Social and Financial Inclusion sustainable in village set ups. It was stressed that choosing income generation activities which poor people have done traditionally is crucial for self sustainable of a village savings programme. NGOs should strengthen the local SHGs with trainings for these activities. Getting a loan for individual entrepreneurship is sometimes difficult from banks. The SHGs can take a loan in the name of the group and divide the money among the members according to their requirements. It has worked in many villages. It was pointed out that the NGOs should develop animators in each village to see to the sustainability of this programme in rural areas
