NEDFi marks 30 years of service, empowering over 10 lakh lives in NE

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), a premier financial institution dedicated to the development of the North-Eastern Region, celebrated its 30th Foundation Day with grandeur at its Head Office in Dispur, Guwahati. Over the past three decades, NEDFi has supported more than 28,000 projects across all eight states of the region, sanctioning over Rs 9,000 crore in credit to entrepreneurs and driving economic growth.

Through its Micro Finance Scheme, NEDFi has disbursed Rs 1,093 crore, positively impacting more than 10.5 lakh lives in unserved and underserved areas. Its Micro Lending Scheme has also transformed the lives of over 18,500 micro-entrepreneurs by providing Rs 185 crore in funding, helping them break free from high-interest debt cycles.

The celebration was graced by Dr. Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary of the Government of Assam, as Chief Guest, with Niraj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, and S.K. Bhalla, Secretary, NEC, as Guests of Honour. The event saw the launch of the NEDFi Information & Resource Centre and the NER Databank for public use. As part of its community initiatives, NEDFi distributed 30,000 tree saplings at its R&D Centre in Khetri, installed solar panels in Dima Hasao, and extended support to TB patients across the region.

An exhibition showcasing handloom and handicraft products by local artisans was also held. Notable personalities honoured at the event included Sahitya Akademi award-winning author Dr. Rita Chowdhury, Satriya dance scholar Dr. Mallika Kandali, filmmaker Dominic Sangma, artisan Arambam Renu Devi, and Tripura’s titular king and statesman Pradyut Manikya Deb Barma. Eminent figures from across the North-East were also felicitated through NEDFi’s branch offices.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ravi Kota praised NEDFi’s three decades of dedicated service, while Niraj Kumar lauded its role in the region’s development. S.K. Bhalla highlighted the close collaboration between NEDFi and NEC in driving growth. The event also featured the release of a commemorative book, NEDFi – Three Decades of Exemplary Services to North-East India, and research studies on the Siliguri corridor’s economic importance and value addition in tea production for small growers.

NEDFi CMD PVSLN Murty expressed gratitude to stakeholders, government bodies, and the public for their support, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth in the North-East.

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