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The importance of the rural banking in the economic development of a country cannot be overlooked. As Gandhiji said, "Real India lies in Villages," and village economy is the backbone of Indian economy. Without the development of the rural economy, the objectives of economic planning cannot be achieved. Hence, banks and other financial institutions are considered to play a vital role for the development of the rural economy in India. Mallabhum Gramin Bank (MGB), as part of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), was established in April 09, 1976 and it is playing a pivotal role in the economic development of the districts of Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Midnapur and Purba Midnapur in West Bengal of India by providing credit to the rural people who are not economically strong enough, especially, the small and marginal farmers, artisans, agricultural labourers and even small entrepreneurs. The present book is the result of light modification of my dissertation paper which attempted to make an appraisal of the performance of MGB during the last ten years of its service from the year 1987.

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The author,Principal of Saldiha College, obtained his M.Phil and Ph.D degrees from the University of Burdwan in India.He has published two books, "An Evaluation of The Working of Mallabhum Gramin Bank" and "Manabadhikar: Swarup O Tar Pratistha" published by Scholars´ Press, Germany and Desh Prakashan,India and several papers in reputed journals.

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