As per the information furnished by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the details of credit facilities given to minority communities (community-wise) as on 31st March, 2008, 2009 and 30thSeptember, 2009 (latest available) was as under:

(Amount in Rupee crore)

Communities As on
31st March, 2008 31st March, 2009 30thSept.,2009
Muslim 34027.16 49252.28 51915.93
Sikh 16245.08 23566.22 24480.41
Christian 20804.36 21677.25 25677.56
Zoroastrain 96.18 355.83 1597.08
Buddhist 1308.47 1950.03 3140.68

Source :      RBI

Government of India introduced the “Prime Minister’s New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities”, an important objective which is to ensure an appropriate percentage of the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) is targeted for the minority communities and the benefits of various Government sponsored schemes reach the disadvantaged sections of minority communities.

Accordingly, RBI has issued necessary instructions to all Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCB) vide its circular No. RPCD.SP.22/09.10.01/2006-07 dated September 1, 2006 advising them to ensure that within the overall target of 40% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit ANBC) for PSL and the sub-target of 10% for the Weaker Sections of PSL, sufficient care is taken to ensure that minority communities also receive an equitable portion of the credit. This is also required to be kept in view by Lead Banks while preparing District Credit Plans.

Further, consequent to Cabinet decision, the Public Sector Banks (PSBs) were advised in October, 2007 to step up their lending to Minority Communities to the extent of 15% of their PSL by the end of March 2010.

With a view to ensure smooth credit flow to minority communities, PSBs have set up special cells lheaded by a senior ‘Nodal’ Officer, PSBs organize publicity/ awareness campaigns for various programmes in identified minority concentration districts/ areas; to ensure easy access to credit, new bank branches are being opened by PSBs in identified minority concentration districts/ areas; disposal of loan applications of minority communities and share of minority women in total micro-credit are also being monitored by PSBs.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in  a written reply to an Unstarred Question raised in Rajya Sabha