Ranchi, Mar 3 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday said that the state government is taking continuous steps for strengthening of the rural economy and self employment generation. In a meeting with NABARD Chairman Dr G R Chintala he had a detailed discussion over the issue of banks providing loans to the people hailing from the poor comm ty and also the farmers and need on a priority basis. The chief minister said that there are tremendous opport ties in the Agriculture Sector in Jharkhand and NABARD should take initiative so that maximum number of the people can be provided the benefits of KCC cards. He said since the farmers here do not have financial backup therefore they are not becoming economically strong despite their involvement in Agriculture and other allied activities. He said that NABARD has an important role to play in the development of the state. The Chief Minister said that he wants that the benefits of the schemes being operated by the organisation reach to the last person in the society. He said the organisation should also extend support to the farmers in marketing of their products. Soren also advocated the need to provide more loans for strengthening of rural infrastructure and economic development in Jharkhand. NABARD Chairman G R Chintala gave suggestions for making changes in the cooperative structure and sought active support of the government. He stressed on the need to improve basic infrastructure of cold chains and distribution network so that the farmers can get better price of their produce. The Chairman suggested that as a multi purpose centre the business of Pax can be strengthened by taking advantage of cheap funds. He also discussed ways for increasing the income of farmers through multiple cropping and encouraging cultivation of pulses and assured all possible help to the government in development of Jharkhand. Chief Secretary Sukhdeo Singh and others were present in the meeting. AK BM