Guwahati: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has underscored the critical need to incorporate sustainable livelihood activities into financial inclusion strategies, emphasizing this as the pathway to true economic empowerment, particularly in regions like Assam and the wider Northeast.
Addressing a regional media workshop ‘Vartalap’ today, Ms. Sushmita Phukan, Regional Director for the RBI, articulated that genuine financial inclusion extends beyond mere access to services. It aims to empower individuals by linking financial access directly with income-generating opportunities, thereby enhancing their economic well-being, building resilience, and fostering more effective participation in the nation's growth and development process.
The workshop, organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Guwahati, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), focused on the theme “12 Years of Vishwas, Vikas and Jan-Kalyan: Empowerment Through Financial Inclusion.” During her address, Phukan highlighted the significant role of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
She further elaborated on the central bank’s action plans aimed at strengthening financial inclusion across the country. Phukan also stressed the transformative impact of technology-driven platforms, specifically citing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Jan Dhan accounts, in significantly expanding financial access to a broader population. The event also featured a panel discussion on “Empowerment Through Financial Inclusion,” further exploring these vital topics.
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