This policy document, RBI20172018156 FIDD.CO.LBS.BC.No.2002.01.001201718 issued on April 6, 2018, by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), outlines action points for Lead Banks to enhance the effectiveness of Lead District Managers (LDMs). It follows a review of the Lead Bank Scheme, initially examined by a High Level Committee in 2009 and subsequently by an RBI Committee of Executive Directors. Key directives include ensuring LDMs possess adequate leadership skills, providing LDMs' offices with essential technical infrastructure (computers, printers, data connectivity), considering the provision of dedicated vehicles for LDMs to facilitate liaison and financial literacy initiatives, and granting LDMs the flexibility to hire skilled computer operators to address staffing shortages. Lead Banks are advised to take necessary action and are encouraged to provide facilities exceeding the minimum requirements to support LDMs. The issuing department is the Financial Inclusion Development Department, Central Office, located on the 10th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, P.B.No.10014, Mumbai – 400001. Contact can be made via telephone at 022-22601000 / 91-22-22621011 / 22610943 / 22610948 or via email at cgmincfidd@rbi.org.in. A cautionary note is included advising the public to disregard requests for personal information made via unsolicited communications claiming to be from the RBI.
Key Entities Referenced
Lead Bank Scheme: A financial inclusion initiative designed to foster banking development in districts, coordinated by Lead Banks and Lead District Managers.
Lead District Managers: Officials responsible for coordinating and implementing the Lead Bank Scheme at the district level. Referred to as LDMs.
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for regulating the country's financial system. Referred to as RBI.
Smt Usha Thorat: Former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India and Chairperson of the High Level Committee that reviewed the Lead Bank Scheme in 2009.
High Level Committee: A committee formed under the chairpersonship of Smt Usha Thorat to review the Lead Bank Scheme.
Financial Inclusion Development Dept: Department of RBI which released the policy document.
Gautam Prasad Borah: Chief General Manager-in-Charge at Reserve Bank of India who signed the notification.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: The city in Maharashtra where the Central Office of the Reserve Bank of India is located.
RBI/2017-2018/156
FIDD.CO.LBS.BC.No.20/02.01.001/2017-18 April 6, 2018
The Chairmen/Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers
All Lead Banks
Madam/ Dear Sir,
Action Points for Lead Banks on Enhancing the Effectiveness of Lead District
Managers (LDMs)
As you are aware, the Lead Bank Scheme was last reviewed by the “High Level
Committee” under Smt Usha Thorat, then Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, as the
Chairperson in 2009. In view of changes that have taken place in the financial sector over the
years, Reserve Bank of India had constituted a “Committee of Executive Directors” of the
Bank to study the efficacy of the Scheme and suggest measures for improvement. The
Committee’s recommendations were discussed with various stakeholders and based on their
feedback, it has been decided that the following ‘action points’ will be implemented by the
Lead Banks.
i. In view of the critical role played by LDMs, it may be ensured that officials posted as
LDMs possess requisite leadership skills.
ii. Apart from the provision of a separate office space, technical infrastructure like
computers, printer, data connectivity, etc. which are basic necessities for LDMs to
discharge their core responsibilities may be provided to LDMs’ Office without
exception.
iii. It is suggested that a dedicated vehicle may be provided to LDMs’ to facilitate closer
liaison with the bank officials, district administration officials as also to organise/
attend various financial literacy initiatives and meetings.
�वत् तीय समावेशन और �वकास �वभाग, केन्द्र�य कायार्लय,10 वी मंिजल, क�द्र�य कायालर् य भवन, शह�द भगत�सहं माग,र्पोस्ट बॉक्स सं. 10014,मंबु ई -400001
Financial Inclusion & Development Dept, Central Office,10th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg,P.B.No.10014,Mumbai-1
टेल� Tel:022-22601000 फैक्सः 91-22-22621011/22610943/22610948 ई -मेल : cgmincfidd@rbi.org.in
�हदं � आसान है,इसका प्रयोग बढ़ाइए।
“चेतावनी : मेल �रज़व र् बक� द्वारा-डाक, एसएमएस या फोन कॉल के ज�रए �कसी क� भी व् यिक्तगत जानकार� जैसे बक� के खाते का ब् यौरा, पासवड र् आ�द नह�ं मांगी जाती
है। यह धन रखने या देने का प्रस् ताव भी नह�ं करता है। ऐसे प्रस् ताव� का �कसी भी तर�के से जवाब मत द�िजए।"
Caution: RBI never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It never
keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not respond in any manner to such offers.2
iv. The absence of a specialist officer/assistant for data entry/analysis is a common and
major issue faced by LDMs. Liberty to hire the services of skilled computer operator
may be given to the LDMs to overcome the shortage of staff/ in case appropriate staff
is not posted at LDM office.
2. You are advised to take appropriate action as required. Further, for successful
functioning of the Lead Bank Scheme, we expect Lead Banks to go the extra mile to provide
facilities over and above the bare minimum to these critical field functionaries.
Yours faithfully,
(Gautam Prasad Borah)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge