Ranchi, March 16 (IANS) Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Raghubar Das Tuesday warned of action against banks not giving loans to unemployed youth under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

'It is well known that the banks do not disburse money to unemployed youth under the PMEGP. Suitable action will be taken if the banks do not improve the disbursing of loan system to unemployed youth,' Das said while replying to a question in the state assembly.

Das said the state government officials have held meetings with State Bank of India (SBI) officials twice this year and asked them to improve the loan disbursing system.

Under the PMEGP, unemployed youth are given loans up to Rs.one lakh for self-employment schemes.

The issue was raised by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajanatantrik (JVM-P) member Pradeep Yadav, who said the targets set under various schemes to provide loans to unemployed youth are not met as banks are 'indifferent' to disbursing loans under the PMEGP.

Assembly Speaker C.P. Singh asked Das to take up the issue with the union finance minister to improve the loan disbursals.