The Bank’s credit fl ow to weaker sections and SC/STs had registered growth of 40.19% and 24.99% respectively during 2009-10.  The Bank has taken various steps to gear up for fi nancial inclusion and to hasten the process of bringing families into the banking fold, which were hitherto, not availing of banking facilities.  During the year 2009-10, the Bank opened 2.06 lacs no frill accounts (Dena Alpa Bachat Khata) and the total number of these accounts stood at 5.73 lacs as on 31st March, 2010.  Further, the Bank also issued 2736 Bhoomiheen Kisan Credit Cards and 2542 Dena General Credit Cards during the year.  During the year, the Bank has also opened Credit Counseling centers at Palanpur, Mehsana, Bhuj and Silvassa.  These centers are christened as Dena Mitras. 

In order to promote micro irrigation system, the Bank has financed 2602 farmers aggregating to Rs.  40.37 crores for installation of micro irrigation systems in collaboration with M/s. Gujarat Greeen Revolution Company Ltd.

8.12 Dena Surya Urja Scheme

The Bank is financing installation of solar water heating systems for domestic, industrial and commercial sectors at soft rates of interest under tie up arrangement with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Resources (MNRE).  Under the scheme, an aggregate loan amount of Rs 103.00 lacs has been extended to 308 beneficiaries. 

The Bank has prepared a Financial Inclusion Plan which envisages road map for provision of banking services through banking outlet in 801 villages allocated to it by various SLBCs under Lead Bank Scheme.  The Plan apart, from provision of banking outlets, also includes extension of facilities like “No frills” accounts, Dena General Credit Cards (DGGC), Dena Kisan Credit Card (DKCC), Micro insurance and Mutual Fund products, etc. 

The Bank has signed a MOU with M/s. Zero Microfi nance Saving & Support Foundation as Business Correspondent and with M/s. A Little World as technology provider for the fi nancial inclusion in two districts of Gujarat and one district of U.T. of Dadra & Nagar Haveli covering 135 villages. 

A MOU is signed with M/s. FINO Fintech Foundation (FFF) as Business Correspondent and with M/s. Financial Information Network & Operations Limited (FINO) as technology provider for the financial inclusion in Chhattisgarh. 

11.  Corporate Social Responsibilities

11.1 Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETIs)

Dena Bank has set up a society known as Dena Rural Develoment Foundation (DRDF) with a initial corpus of Rs.  50 Lacs to take up various initiatives in rural development.  DRDF in turn has established 11 Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) in its lead districts viz. ( i) Ahmedabad, (ii) Kutch, (iii) Mehsana, (iv) Banaskantana, (v) Sabarkanta (vi) Patan in the state of Gujarat and (vii) Durg, (viii) Dhamtari (ix) Mahasamund (x) Raipur (xi) Rajandgaon in the state of Chhattisgarh, where bank is shouldering the responsibility of lead bank.  Out of these 11 RSETIs, 8 RSETIs were operationalised during the financial year 2009-10.  These RSETIs have organised 231 training programmes and have imparted training to 6063 youth for various activities. 

The Bank has further contributed to Rs.  100 lacs to the corpus of DRDF during the year for running and maintenance of Dena RSETIs in Bank’s lead districts in the state of Gujarat and Chattishgarh. 

11.2 Sponsoring Education of Girl Child

As a part of Corporate Social Responsibility, the Bank had introduced a nobel scheme viz.  Dena Laxmi Shiksha Protsahan Yojana to sponsor education of Girl students in the villages served by the Bank.  The scheme aims at providing a scholarship of Rs.  2000/- and Rs.1500/- per annum to identifi ed girl students belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, to be selected from each of the schools based on first and second rank respectively secured in 7th Standard, from the villages under the command area of the Bank.  The Bank has so far provided scholarships to 1856 girl students under the scheme. 

11.3 State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) Responsibilities

The Bank has been successfully discharging its responsibilities as a Convener of SLBC for the State of Gujarat and also as Convener of UTLBC for the Union Territory of Dadara & Nagar Haveli.  The SLBC has played catalytic role for the development of banking in the State of Gujarat through constant monitoring of various Priority Sector and developmental schemes.  The Bank has also been monitoring the credit flow to MSME, auto, housing sectors under the stimulus package announced by the Government of India.  As the Convenor for SLBC for Gujarat State, the Bank has identifi ed 3520 villages having population in excess of 2000 and the same have been allocated among various Banks to provide banking services through a banking outlet by March 2012.  Besides, as the Convenor Bank, it has also identified 30 villages having population in excess of 2000 and allocated the same among various Banks operating in UT of Dadra Nagar Haveli to provide banking services through a banking outlet by March 2012.