The National Scheduled Tribes Finance Development Corporation (NSTFDC) and the State Bank of India (SBI) signed a refinance agreement in New Delhi today. Under the agreement, NSTFDC would provide refinance to SBI for the loans extended to Self Help Groups of Scheduled Tribe members. The beneficiaries would be extended credit at a concessional interest rate of 6% per annum. Loans upto 5 lakh rupees can be availed at the concessional interest rate.Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Panchayat Raj, Mr. Kishore Chandra Deo said, the extension of credit to the Scheduled Tribes community would go a long way in empowering the weaker and most vulnerable section of the society. The minister said, the NSTFDC and the SBI venture will benefit the people deprieved of basic amenities like education, health and also help them evolve self employment ventures.Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Mr. Mahadeo Singh Khandela, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Mrs. Vibha Puri Das, and Senior officials of the NSTFDC and SBI were present on the occasion. The agreement was inked by Mr. Gur Saroop Sood, Chairman NSTFDC and Mr. A. Krishna Kumar, MD, State Bank of India.