ITANAGAR, 27 Aug: The Arunachal Pradesh regional office (RO) of the NABARD and the Planning Department of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh jointly organised a state-level workshop on the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) on 25 August at the state banquet hall here.

The workshop was aimed at strengthening the pace and quality of implementation of RIDF-assisted projects in the state through closer coordination between the state government's implementing departments and the NABARD.

The workshop was co-chaired by RBI Itanagar General Manager Abhijit Majumdar and Planning Department Director Ponung Boring. It was attended by, among others, NABARD RO General Manager SV Ranga Rao.

Addressing the participants, Rao highlighted the role of the NABARD in supporting creation of infrastructure in the state. He said that implementing departments need to ensure timely implementation of projects, timely submission of project completion certificates/project completion reports, timely availing of credit under the RIDF, and proper monitoring and documentation of projects.

Ponung Boring outlined the state's development priorities, and underscored the importance of timely execution of sanctioned projects, prompt submission of utilisation certificates and reimbursement claims, and adherence to prescribed monitoring and reporting standards.

Majumdar pointed out the origin and structure of the RIDF. He explained the priority sector lending norms for banks, the channelising of shortfall in meeting these norms into RIDF, the methodology for working out rates of interest on deposits and loans under the RIDF, and the allocation of funds by the RBI.

AGM Sumarttya Ghosh and AM Shobhit Tyagi from the NABARD head office delivered a presentation on the RIDF, and clarified various technical aspects, including project formulation, preparation of detailed project report, cost estimation and common observations arising from project scrutiny.

NABARD DGM Vivek Anand urged the implementing agencies to accord priority to addressing the various issues raised at the workshop and ensure timely and proper implementation of projects sanctioned under the RIDF.