Himachal Pradesh Government would provide liberal credits to the farmers as it was keenly observing the adverse impact on them following Demonetization. Addressing the meeting of lead banks and Central Governmental officials, Additional Chief Secretary Narender Chauhan said that the State Government was quite sensitive towards the demonetization move of Government of India and remained vigilant and sensitive every moment towards the situation so that the common man did not suffer. He said the State Government arranged for transportation of cash through helicopter to the difficult areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts to mitigate the problem of cash shortages to be faced by the residents in these far-flung areas. Mr. Chauhan was presiding over the 142nd meeting of State level Bankers Committee (SLBC) HP convened by UCO Bank to review of Banking Sector performance in the State. He said the demonetization had induced the conducive environment for use of digital mode of transaction through the technology platform. He emphasized all the banks and stakeholders to encourage for the use of the digital payments in the field for building up of a strong cashless society for which he stressed upon the need of organizing public awareness camps and training camps at every corner in the State. He asked the banks to arrange for providing of Point of Sale (POS) terminal in Government Offices, hospitals, public utility services to reduce the dependence on the cash. He expressed that  banks had handled the post demonetization cash shortage situation efficiently and citizens at large have redressed their cash requirements very patiently without disturbing peace. He emphasized for use of Aadhaar platform for making payments through the Aadhaar enabled payments bridge for transferring the benefits under DBT scheme directly to the account of beneficiaries. He added that the State Government was making payments of benefit due under various schemes like MNREGA, pensions under social security scheme, scholarships etc. He informed 72,52,880 residents of the State had their Aadhaar numbers thereby 100 percent achievement and Rs. 506.39 crore had been paid through DBT scheme. He asked the bankers for 100 percent seeding of Aadhaar number in the bank account of beneficiaries in a time bound manner. He however expressed concern that farmers were not fully covered under Crop Insurance Scheme and there was a big gap between the loaned amount and number of beneficiaries. He asked the bankers for liberal loaning in agriculture sector particularly to the small and marginal farmers. He also laid focus on doubling the income of farmers by the year 2022 for which there would be the need of strengthening the rural infrastructure, road infrastructure, micro and minor irrigation schemes etc. He also asked for settling various cases of insurance in a time bound manner. He also asked the bankers for improving Credit-Deposit ratio which was only 55.64 percent. Source - http://www.himvani.com