On 18th of October 2007 MoRD, Govt of India reviewed the progress made by us in carrying out the study on “Impact of SGSY on SC/ST Beneficiaries” . Two of our Faculty Members attended the Review Meet which was held in New Delhi and presented their impressionistic observations. The Joint secretary, MoRD, whom I contacted over phone expressed his satisfaction with the progress. Subsequently, in order to make the study more representative, the Ministry has extended the study to three more states, viz, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. One team of FMs has already proceeded to Andhra Pradesh for conducting the study. Another team will be undertaking visits to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in November 2007.

Shri G L Tawte, CGM, IDD, NABARD visited BIRD on 11 October 2007 and had discussions with us on the feasibility of preparing standardised training modules for officers and staff of RRBs. We understand that such modules are required to be prepared by NABARD to fulfil a desire expressed by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Finance in a meeting held with the Chairmen of RRBs and GMs of their sponsor banks on 16 july 07. We have since commenced the work. We shall be preparing Induction and Pre-Retirement modules apart from modules for regular courses for skill-upgradation, attitude building and knowledge enhancement.

Joint Director, BIRD participated in a meeting convened by DCRR, NABARD, HO on 29-30 October 2007 to discuss the status of preparation of modules for the second phase training of PACS secretaries. The module on Common Accounting System prepared for Auditors of Cooperatives was discussed on 31 October 2007 in the meeting of OICs of the RO’s of the states, which have signed MOU with GOI/NABARD.