Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates North East Bankers’ Conclave 3.0 in Mizoram, Calls for Greater Credit Flow to Region

Ministry of Development of North-East Region

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 13 OCT 2026 10:04PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia today inaugurated the North East Bankers’ Conclave 3.0 at Mizoram University in Aizawl. The conclave focused on expanding banking access, strengthening financial inclusion and accelerating economic growth across the Northeast.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, State Minister Prof. Lalnilawma, MDoNER Secretary Srinivas Katikithala, Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena and NEC Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla attended the event. Representatives from the RBI, SBI, Punjab National Bank, Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Bank of Baroda, Indian Overseas Bank, Indian Bank, India Post Payments Bank, Canara Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank and IDBI Bank participated. Development institutions, including NABARD, SIDBI, DFS, NEDFi, NERAMAC and NECBDC, were also represented.

Addressing the North East Bankers’ Conclave, Shri Scindia urged banks to focus on three priorities: expanding physical banking infrastructure, improving credit access through state-wise Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio targets, and supporting MSMEs and infrastructure development.

Describing the Northeast as one of the most promising banking markets in India and globally, Union minister Scindia highlighted the region’s annual economic growth of 9–11%. Expressing his personal connection with the Northeast, he urged bankers to explore its growing opportunities and ensure that the economic value generated in the region remains within the region.

Greater Credit Flow to Drive Economic Growth

Highlighting the need to convert financial inclusion into economic inclusion, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said only ₹47 is extended as credit for every ₹100 deposited in banks across the Northeast.

He urged banks to expand credit access for entrepreneurs, farmers, women and MSMEs, emphasising that the Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio should reflect “Credit for Development” in the Northeast.

The Minister also stressed the need for a Northeast-specific credit-risk framework. He noted that community-based landownership in the region requires flexible collateral rules to improve access to loans.

Banking Network Expands Across Northeast

Reviewing progress since the first North East Bankers’ Conclave, shri Scindia said approximately 73% progress had been achieved over five years against the banking targets set at the inaugural conclave.

Key achievements include :-

• 131 new bank branches and 126 ATMs added.
• 247 new India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) centres established.
• 6,674 bank branches and 5,823 ATMs operating across the region.
• Banking touchpoints covering approximately 99.93% of villages.
• 2,500 additional IPPB access points planned.

Of approximately 9,000 villages identified for improved banking and postal coverage, 6,905 have been covered. The minimum population requirement for opening a physical bank branch has also been reduced from 3,000 to 2,000.

Highlighting the Northeast’s growing adoption of digital banking, Shri Scindia noted that UPI accounts for 90.2% of all non-branch transactions across the region.

₹40,000 Crore Investments Grounded in Northeast

Union Minister Scindia said approximately ₹40,000 crore in investments have been grounded across the eight northeastern states following the Rising North East Investors Summit in May 2025.

He highlighted major infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of the region’s airport network from 9 to 17 airports.

He also cited the Bairabi railway line in Mizoram, which has carried approximately 15 lakh passengers through 1,100 trips.

The Minister said that the Northeast receives more than one lakh crore annually through the allocation of 10% of Gross Budgetary Support, monitored by MDoNER. He also highlighted approximately ₹6 lakh crore in fiscal devolution to the eight states.

Northeast Offers Strong Demographic Advantage

Highlighting the region’s demographic and economic potential, Shri Scindia noted that the Northeast has a population of approximately 5 crore. He underscored the importance of harnessing the region’s young population through greater opportunities in education, skill development, entrepreneurship and employment. He said that the average literacy rate across the eight states stands at 93%, while Mizoram has achieved 100% literacy.

Emphasising the region’s natural wealth and economic potential, Scindia said, “The Northeast has a demographic and educational bulge, an array of natural resources and extraordinary natural beauty. When you land at Lengpui, it feels as though you have landed in a forest. Mother Nature has gifted this region something truly exclusive.”

Highlighting the region’s economic growth, he said, “You are not entering an unexplored economic area. The world is growing. Guess what the annual growth rate of the Northeast is ?

It is 9-11% every single year.” He urged banks to play a key role in sustaining this growth.

Reflecting on his engagement with the region, Shri Scindia said, “I have been the Minister of DoNER for about 32 months, and this is my 35th visit to the Northeast. From its caves and rivers to its living root bridges, and from its entrepreneurs to the capabilities of its governments at the village level, I have witnessed the immense potential of this region.”

State-Wise Banking Roadmap

Union minister Scindia outlined four priorities for the Department of Financial Services (DFS): preparing a plan for 70 bank branches, Business Correspondents and IPPB points; strengthening commercial-bank presence; developing a Northeast-specific credit-risk framework; and preparing an action plan for the region’s financial system.

He said NEDFi, DFS, MDoNER and state governments have worked together to identify financial gaps and develop state-specific interventions.

Between April and June 2026, the Secretary, MDoNER, held individual consultations with states, which subsequently set their own targets.

The Minister urged bankers to ensure that the Northeast’s growing financial access translates into economic opportunities and that value generated in the region remains within the region.

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