Twelve in-Campus training programmes with a total participation of 247 were conducted during the month. This included a programme on ‘Core Banking Solutions for Chairmen and GMs of RRBs’ with 13 participants. The average turn out of participants per programme for the period stood at 20.5.

A workshop was conducted at BIRD from 11-15 May 2009 to finalise the captioned module. Faculty Members from BIRD, NBSC and ICMs Pune and Madurai along with select CGMs of NABARD ROs participated in the workshop. Dr. Prakash Bakshi, ED participated in the workshop on 14 May 2009.

A meeting was organised at BIRD on 15.05.2009 with Shri Bhagawati Prasad, Director General, NCCT, New Delhi. The meeting was also attended by Joint Director, BIRD, Officials attached to C-PEC and Secretary, NCCT. The following issues were discussed in the meeting.

Draft Accredition Parameters for cooperative training institutes and Module of Certificate Course for Trainers in Cooperative Training Institutes ( ICMs / RICMs / VAMNICOM / ACSTIs ).

Stake Holders Workshop for discussion and adoption of Accreditation Parameters; and introduction/ starting up of Certificate Course for Trainers in Cooperative Training Institutes ( ICMs / RICMs / VAMNICOM / ACSTIs ).

C- PEC officials to visit 3 or 4 JLTCs ( Junior Level Training Centres run by State Cooperative federation ) and propose a different accreditation parameters for them.

Officials of BIRD may attend the regional workshops of JLTCs to understand their problems and prospects.

BIRD / NABARD may take up the issue of including the training module for  PACS functionaries through JLTCs in the Central Sector Scheme of MoA, GOI to become  eligible for financial assistance .

a. Contract Researchers :
On approval of the minutes of the meeting of the Governing Council held on 26 March 2009, letters of offer of appointment as contract researchers have been issued to the four selected candidates with an advice to report to BIRD on or before 15 June 2009.

b. ‘The Microfinance Review’:
The title verification clearance of the Registrar of Newspapers India, New Delhi has since been received for the proposed journal, ‘The Microfinance Review’.

Shri S Balan, JD, Four faculty members and two officers in Grade ‘B’ were transferred out of BIRD during the month. Against these vacancies three Faculty Members and one officer in Grade ‘A’ joined the Institute during the month.

Articles related to HR and NFS areas have been collated and put together in two booklets namely ‘Voice of the Hour’ and ‘News and Views of NFS’ respectively every month. Now we have updated the same on our website in the literacy page and the same has received good response.