Sa-Dhan News and Events (April - September 2000)
Presentation before Finance Minister, Shri
Highlights of Sa-Dhan Activities in last six months
Yashwant Sinha
On 6th April 2000, the Policy Sub-Group of Sa-Dhan met with
THE TRAINING SUB-GROUP
the Finance Minister of India, Shri Yashwant Sinha, and presented
him a paper. Beginning the presentation Mr. Mathew Titus (Sa-
Microfinance Education Programme - 1: "Finance &
Ø
Dhan), highlighted the various types of Microfinance Institutions
Accounts Module" held on 25th 28th April 2000 at
(MFIs) operating in India and their problems. Problems of Non-
Hyderabad.
Profit MFIs were presented by Mr. Narender of Dhan Foundation
Sub-Group Meeting held on 20th May 2000 at New Delhi
Ø
followed by problems of Mutual Benefit MFIs by Ms. Daksha N.
Sub-Group Meeting held on 16th September 2000 at
Ø
Shah of FWWB and finally the problems of Commercial MFIs
Jaipur
were presented by Mr. Vijay Mahajan of Basix. The presentation
also expressed the need for a supportive legal and regulatory
THE POLICY SUB-GROUP
framework for the MFIs. Suggestions were also presented by
Sa-Dhan's to the Finance Minister in this regard. The suggestions
Presentation before Finance Minister on 6th April, 2000
Ø
made were:
Collaboration with Ministry of Industry (Govt. of India) on
Ø
Ø To continue supporting micro-finance sector by undertaking
restructuring the `financial assistance scheme' for MFIs.
field visits to MFIs and attending Sa-Dhan's Conferences.
Workshop held on "Regulation of Microfinance Services:
Ø
Ø To enhance understanding and support to micro-finance.
Facilitating Stable Growth", on 17th April 2000 at New
Sa-Dhan is willing to make a representation to the Parliament
Delhi.
committee on finance or any other policy forums; arrange field
Sub-group meeting held on 12th August, 2000 at
Ø
trips for policy makers to MFIs in India and other countries;
Bangalore
Ø To establish an "Empowered Committee on Micro-finance
West Bengal Regional Policy workshop held in
Ø
(EcoMF)" under the Ministry of Finance along with the
collaboration with CARE, India on 29th 30th August
representatives of MFIs. The suggested terms of reference for it,
2000 at Calcutta
were: (a) to review policy, regulatory and legal frame, (b) to
harmonise the efforts of different govt. dept, financial institutions
THE STANDARD SUB-GROUP
and MFIs; (c) to monitor the effectiveness of use of both the Govt.
and bilateral funds for the sector.
Workshop held on "Building Standards for NGO-MFIs,
Ø
on 8th June 2000 at Bhubaneswar.
PRESS RELEASE
F. No. 1/21/92-FIU (Vol. II)
Government of India, Ministry of Finance
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Department of Economic Affairs (Investment Division)
Ø Sa-Dhan and HUDCO : "Draft Action Plan: Task Force on
August 29, 2000 New Delhi
Housing Finance for the poor" on 19th April 2000 at Delhi.
Ø Sa-Dhan & World Bank: "Round Table Consultation in India:
Under the Guidelines for Foreign Equity Investment in Non-
Urban sector operational strategy" on 24th April 2000 at Delhi.
Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) issued on 21st March,
Ø Study on Self-Regulation of MFIs concluded in May 2000.
1997 and 31st July, 1997, 22nd July, 1998 and 15th June,
1999, foreign investment is permitted in the following 17 NBFC Ø General Body Meeting held on 16th August 2000 at
Ahmedabad.
activities: (i) Merchant Banking, (ii) Underwriting, (iii) Portfolio
Management Services, (iv) Investment Advisory Services, (v)
Financial Consultancy, (vi) Stock Broking, (vii) Asset
OUR FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN SIX MONTHS
Management, (viii) Venture Capital, (ix) Custodial Services,
Oct' 2000 to Mar' 2001
Ø Maharashtra region Standard Workshop, 1314 Oct. 2000,
(x) Factoring, (xi) Credit reference agencies, (xii) Credit rating
Pune
agencies, (xiii) Leasing & Finance, (xiv) Housing Finance, (xv)
Forex broking, (xvi) Credit Card Business, and (xvii) Money Ø Orissa Regional Policy Workshop, 31 Oct-1 Nov 2000,
B'neshwar
Changing Business.
Ø Sa-Dhan Governing Board Meeting, 10-11 Nov. 2000
Ø MEP Module (I), 2025 Nov. 2000, Hyderabad
It has been decided to include "Micro-Credit/Rural Credit in
Ø A.P. Regional Policy Workshop, 5-6 Dec. 2000, Hyderabad
the list of permitted activities. This activity would cover
Ø Policy Sub Group Meeting, 15-16 Dec. 2000
extension of credit facilities at micro level to small producers
and small micro enterprise in the rural and urban areas. The Ø Training Sub Group Meeting 12-13 Jan. 2001
Ø MEP Module (II), 24 31 Jan. 2001, Itarsi, MP
prevailing guidelines applicable for foreign investment in
Ø Standard Sub Group Meeting, 16-17 Feb. 2001
approved activities in Non-Banking Financial Companies,
Ø Training of Trainers (for Extended Faculty Group), Mar 2001
shall now be applicable to foreign equity participation in the
Ø Sa-Dhan Governing Board Meeting, 16-17 March 2001
"Micro Credit/Rural Credit" activity.
(G. S. Dutt, Joint Secretary to the Government of India)
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