Bhatti Vikramarka Calls for Timely Credit and Farmer-Centric Banking

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has called for a farmer-focused banking system, urging financial institutions to take credit services directly to rural communities rather than making farmers repeatedly visit bank branches to secure loans. Speaking at the 50th State-Level Bankers’ Committee meeting at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan, Bhatti said banks and financial institutions would be crucial to Telangana’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Bhatti said the state’s economic transformation could not depend solely on government expenditure and would require large-scale private investment, stronger financial institutions and wider financial markets. He described Telangana Rising 2047 as a development commitment to the people rather than simply a vision document.

Highlighting the importance of the rural economy, Bhatti said agriculture and allied activities remain central to Telangana’s growth. Banks, he said, should proactively reach farmers with timely credit instead of waiting for them to approach branches. Lending should also cover dairy, fisheries, horticulture, oil palm and food processing, with loans designed to help farmers generate sustainable and higher incomes.

The Deputy Chief Minister said banks should take a broader approach to loan defaults. Instead of focusing only on recovery when farmers struggle to repay, financial institutions should examine the reasons behind declining incomes and explore ways to improve their repayment capacity. He appreciated banks for extending ₹52,337 crore in agricultural loans up to June 2026, while stressing that timely disbursal was equally important.

Bhatti identified the MSME sector as another major pillar of Telangana’s economic ambitions. He said entrepreneurs need funds when they need them, and directed banks to establish clear timelines for applications, approvals and fund releases. He welcomed the approval of 16,265 CGTMSE proposals worth ₹4,463 crore during the current quarter and urged banks not to burden beneficiaries with collateral requirements under the scheme.

He also called for region-specific lending strategies under the Cure, Pure and Rare framework of Telangana Rising 2047. While Cure regions need financing for AI, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and startups, Pure areas require support for manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure. Rare regions should receive affordable credit for agriculture and rural industries.

On financial inclusion, Bhatti expressed concern over 19.13 lakh Jan Dhan accounts with zero balances. He urged banks to revive inactive Business Correspondents and provide women’s self-help groups with enterprise finance to help them become micro-entrepreneurs.

He proposed a “Telangana Rising 2047 Banking Roadmap” and assured banks that the government would ensure timely reimbursement of dues under various schemes.