Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today held a review meeting to assess the performance of public sector banks (PSBs) on credit and other welfare schemes for scheduled castes to ensure that economic growth more inclusive in nature. The meeting was attended by bank chairmen and other senior officials of the ministry.

During the review meeting, Sitharaman advised authorities to take necessary steps to fill up the remaining backlog vacancies in a time bound manner.

It has also been decided that banks will complete the exercise of forward and backward linkages through convergence of various schemes of different government departments for scheduled castes while giving them financial assistance. Loans that have been disbursed to people from the SC community under the Stand up India and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have been reviewed as well.

Banks have been directed to enhance the coverage of SCs in all schemes and make proper digital records for jobs being outsourced, especially for posts like Safai Karamcharis or the cleaning staff from October 1.

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