Micro-finance research centre set up

JAIPUR: A centre of excellence for promotion of research in micro-finance has been established at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) here in collaboration with the apex-level Bankers' Institute of Rural Development, Lucknow, and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

IDS Director Surjit Singh signed a memorandum of understanding with NABARD Chief General Manager V.S. Bhadauria for the centre in Lucknow. The centre has a mandate to develop an interface among the stakeholders such as financial institutions, non-government organisations, government officials and global bodies, and focus on research in the fields of micro-health and micro-insurance in addition to micro-finance.

Prof. Singh said the centre would work as a think-tank covering the States such as Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Its inputs will have direct policy relevance, bridging the gap between "micro-realities" and macro-policies.