Briefly Region

NABARD sets target of Rs 6,300 crore credit investment by banks in Himachal

Shimla: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has set a target of pumping in credit investment of Rs 6,300 cores,through all banks in the state,to achieve a growth of 22.36 per cent in credit investment over last year. Crop loan will continue to remain the top priority with 49 per cent (Rs 1,373 crore) of the total credit in agriculture sector being marked for it in Himachal. Releasing NABARD’s State Focus Paper for 2011-2012 during a state-level credit seminar in Shimla,Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu said: “Though 4.14 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have been issued,there remains a dichotomy in the number of cards issued and the number of cards in operation for obtaining loans. This needs to be reviewed.”

Over 60 Hindu,Sikh families from Pak demand Indian citizenship

Amritsar: Over 60 members from Hindu and Sikh families from Pakistan,who currently reside in Amritsar — met Deputy Commissioner K S Pannu on Monday,demanding Indian citizenship at the earliest. Led by All India Hindu Shiv Sena president Surinder Kumar Billa,the members said that among the 500-odd group,most hail from NWFP,which is badly hit by terrorism and Muslim fundamentalism. “They had fled Pakistan fearing kidnapping,extortion and even forcible conversions to Islam. We should help them,” said Billa. “We understand their their concern and every effort will be made to do the needful. I am sending a detailed report regarding their demands,” said Pannu.