Finance Minister said,all Kisan Credit Cards will be converted into ATM Cards by March 2014 to provide easy access to farmers to agricultural credit. Mr.Chidambaram said the banks have been asked to strictly adhere to the time frame.

About the plans for expansion of bank branches, he said as many as 3955 new branches of public sector banks will be opened this year. A total of 4,931 branches were opened in 2011-12, which include 1098 branches in the minority-concentrated districts.

Referring to the filling of vacancies in banks, he said 63,200 people will be recruited by the end of this fiscal providing an opportunity to young men and women.

The Finance Minister said education loan is a success story. He said there are 24 lakh 63 thousand education loanee accounts at pressent.

Reiterating the government's decision to roll out direct cash transfer scheme, he said the scheme will be launched in 51 districts spread over 16 states through Aadhaar-enabled cards from January next year.