Microfinance Association of Uttar Pradesh (UPMA) is the State association of Microfinance Institutions operating in the State. Microfinance institutions are engaged in extending small ticket size loans to rural and semi urban poor on sift terms collateral free loans. These institutions are registered with RBI as NBFC-MFI. Total exposure of industry in the state is around 15,000 crores with 4.7 million clients. The main objective of UPMA is partnering with the State Govt, other Governmental agencies and various stakeholders.

The question is when there is association of Microfinance Institutions at National level i.e., MFIN and Sa Dhan then what is the necessity of State assn. National Association work at the national level. They engage with BI, or Central Govt and other agencies at National level towards policy intervention. Both these National Associations are also Self-Regulatory Organizations and SRO. As SRO their main object is ensuring compliance of Govt guidelines, observance of Code of Conduct etc.

Whereas as a State association we are working with the field level staff on ground level. We are conducting meetings of our members organization at field level in the Distt. These meetings are called Distt Meetings. We are holding various workshops for Microfinance clients on digital literacy, financial literacy, customers right as client to microfinance etc.

Our other initiatives are capacity building of member bodies, instilling the principles of Good Governance. In this direction we have organized a workshop on Corporate Governance for Independent Directors Company Secretary. These workshops are organized in association with Institute of Directors (IOD); Institute of Corporate Governance GOI. We have also organized workshops for HR Heads, Credit Verticals, Front line officers or for that matter entire spectrum of Microfinance delivery channels.

As a part of our partnering with Govt officers during demonetization reports in regard to customer reaching Distt Administration for waiver of loan. We have toured almost the entire state from East to west and North to South and convinced the Distt administration about the fall out of such instigated representation. Distt Administration could be convinced and great loss to the sector could be averted.

During the election period we work with the State Election Commission for creating awareness under the SVEEP initiative of the Election Commission. This gives our partner a sense of responsiveness towards our Constitutional duties.

During Covid period it was noticed that those of our clients whose livelihood depends on roadside food selling viz tea shops, chaat thela or fast food etc. Sensing their trouble, we have disbursed Rs.2,000/- to around 400 such badly hit female clients. We have also disbursed masks, sanitizer during peak Covid period through Distt Administration. All our initiatives carry financial support from SIDBI.

We are also arranging various advanced level training programs for our Microfinance staff through Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD0 We are also associating with IIM Lucknow in technology advancement. We have organized workshops with IIM Lucknow.

Recently the State Govt has organized an Investor Summit, where investors, Govt Officers, and delegation from foreign countries did participate. We have put our stall in the panorama and attracted a good number of visitors. This gave the sector a wide understanding about the sector.

We are organizing annual conferences also where the speakers of eminence from various fields of finance are invited to share their concern expectations and the way forward. Various research papers and thought processes are also put forth during such annual conferences. So, fa r we have hosted Regional Director RBI, Ex Dy Governor RBI, Ex Chief Secretary Govt of UP besides people from Media and heads of Microfinance Institutions from across the country.

Thus, during a period of around 7 years we have tried to engage with each and every tool available in the state towards capacity building, instilling best practices, good and Corporate Governance besides instilling a sense of responsiveness in the sector.

Presently we are working on two projects. One being developing a job seeker to become a Job provider. Under the project we will identify 50 young entrepreneurs who are unemployed may be migrant workers. These migrant workers, mainly female, will be provided one week job orientation training on ODOP (One Distt One Product). Subsequently will be provided a loan from Microfinance partners. A hand holding for six months will be provided to them so that they are able to employ at least 4 to 5 more job seekers with them. This pilot project is being launched in two districts of the state namely Kannauj and Firozabad.

Our next project is supporting Start up in the field of Women empowerment, Rural Livelihood or Fintech in linking and associating with IIM. The project is already launched. We will be extending financial support from our resources to IIM for this initiative.

FEATURED PERSON

Sudhir Sinha, Project Manager

Sudhir is a science graduate from Lucknow University started his Banking Career since 1972. During a span of 41 years worked in various capacities besides heading branches from Rural, Semi Urban to Metro, Small Medium Large and ELBs. A good administrative experience by working as Dy Regional Head, Regional Head, Dy Zonal Head etc. Worked in two different states of Gujrat and Andhra. He retired from Bank in February,2013 and joined UPMA in December,2013. He has been heading the same since March 2017.

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