BDT is delighted to share the update on the BDT-AIF rickshaw sangh program. The program started in the last week of November,2009 wherein BDT has integrated rickshaw sangh program with its micro-finance operations. Under the program, BDT micro finances rickshaws. Apart from rickshaw, BDT is providing the rickshaw pullers with the life, health & asset insurance apart from the warranty & host of other services. The idea is to provide the rickshaw-pullers with a complete package which helps them increase their earnings & improve upon their quality of life.

NABARD sanctions a loan of Rs. 33,97,000 along with a grant of Rs. 5,70,000 against BDT's green gold project submitted under 'Umbrella Program on Natural Resource Management'(UPNRM). UPNRM is following a programme based approach wherein different channel partners (agencies) are being supported for implementing various types of sustainable NRM projects conforming to the flexible programming mechanism on agreed policies and guiding principles of the strategic partners. Visit http://www.nabard.org/farm_sector/nrm_upnrm.asp for more details. The programme seeks to address the forward linkage problems associated with bamboo growers with the support of players such as ITC Limited as well as create employment opportunities in rural area starting from Bhagalpur District.

After SBI, it was Union Bank of India which sanctioned a loan to BDT for micro-finance on-lending to the tune of Rs. 10,00,000. It marks beginning of our long term relationship with major banks in India.

BDT closed its FY 2009-10 with a current outstanding of Rs. 1,1288,738. Earlier, BDT's outstanding at the end of FY 2008-09 was Rs. 47,51,000 & at the end of FY 2007-08 it was Rs 3,79,000. In the past 3 years BDT has witnessed a robust growth of 33 times.

BDT is happy to share that State Bank of India has sanctioned a loan of Rs. 30,00,000 for microfinance onlending. Earlier Punjab National Bank had approved a loan for BDT for it's rickshaw sangh program under which rickshaws along with life & asset insurance are being micro financed. This marks the growing confidence of major PSU banks in BDT.