Admitting that non-cooperation from banks in providing finances were hampering the financial prospects of over 2.5 lakh self-help groups in the state, Bhattacharjee said: “We know the people in villages are suffering due to the procedural lapses in getting money from the banks. All district and the panchayat officials were asked to be strict and more organised to ensure the release of funds to the poor villagers do not get delayed. Moreover, I have urged RBI governor Dr D Subbarao to resolve the problem and provide loans to self-help groups at the earliest.”

The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration of Saras Mela 2009 in Salt Lake today. The 13-day fair will continue till 30 December. The Saras Mela, 2009, is a handicrafts fair and 20 states are participating in it.

“There are over 7.5 lakh self-help groups in the state of which around 2.5 lakh do not receive assistance from the banks. Moreover, absence of bank offices in gram panchayats has only hampered the development of self-help groups in various districts of the state,” he said.

Barring Darjeeling, self-help groups from all districts of the state have participated in the exhibition.

A senior official of the state panchayat and rural development department said self-help groups from Darjeeling were unable to come because of the ongoing agitation in the Hills.