Jammu-: Over 10.07 lakh beneficiaries in Jammu and Kashmir received credit assistance in the first half of the financial year 2025–26, with banks disbursing loans worth over Rs 43,000 crore, officials said on Sunday.

The figures were shared during the 17th UT Level Bankers Committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo in Jammu on Saturday. The meeting reviewed the performance of banks and financial institutions during the first quarter and first half of the current financial year.

Officials said banks in J and K disbursed Rs 43,017 crore to 10.07 lakh beneficiaries between April and September. Dulloo noted that despite disruptions caused by the Pahalgam terror attack, cross border tensions and floods, lending to the priority sector remained satisfactory.

He said agriculture offers major opportunities and urged banks to provide adequate credit to support the sector's growth and the economic upliftment of the UT. He called for smooth lending under schemes such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, PM Vishwakarma, Mission YUVA and the homestay initiative to help youth create self employment avenues.

Dulloo said the CD ratio in J and K needs improvement and asked banks to push more credit to Self Help Groups. He stressed increasing lending in priority areas including agriculture, housing, education and social infrastructure, which he said are key to the UT's overall development.

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