General manager of PNB (Punjab zone) PN Khurana told The Financial Express that this was going to be a "historic" meeting as it is being held on January 19 and it would be diamond jubilee meeting convened by the bank in its capacity as lead bank in the state. The meetings of this state level banker's committee are held once in every three months to review banks for the particular quarter. The diamond jubilee meeting assumes importance as it would provide an opportunity to bankers to ponder over the state of banking industry as such in the state under various parameters, besides considering the performance during the last quarter.

Mr Khurana said that state level banker's committee, Punjab, apex level coordination forum between the state government and commercial banks operating in the state, had contributed significantly in transforming socio-economic strata and economy of the state through numerous poverty alleviation and self-employment generation programmes and thereby supplementing state government's endeavour to upliftstandard of living of people and making Punjab economically vibrant.

While Mr Badal would be the chief guest on diamond jubilee meet, Mr Kohli would preside over. Top officials of the state government and the banks including Mr RS Mann, chief secretary; principal secretary Ramesh Inder Singh; principal secretary (Finance) KR Lakhanpal; regional director Reserve Bank of India Surinder Kumar; chief general manager NABARD A Ramanathan; director of Institutional Finance and Banking, Punjab, C Roul; director and special secretary (industry), Punjab DS Guru would be participating inthe discussion at this SLBC meeting.

Top officials from all participating banks would be present. Mr Khurana informed that performance of banks would be reviewed under various parameters along with performance under Punjab government sponsored schemes for generating self-employment in the state. Meeting would also take stock of shaping annual credit plan 2001-2002, besides review of ongoing credit plan.

Presence of galaxy of heads including the chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal in this meeting is being perceived as renewed fillip to the pace of development and new directions for generating employment in the state, particularly in rural areas.