ISSN:2319-1422 Vol. 4, Issue 1, Jan., 2015 Impact Factor: SJIF 2013=2.380 South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com - 66 - Published by: South Asian Academic Research Journals SJBIR: SAARJ Journal on Banking & Insurance Research (A Double Blind Refereed & Reviewed International Journal) PORTFOLIO OF GRAMIN BANK IN WEST BENGAL Dr. B.C.M. Patnaik*; Dr. Ipseeta Satpathy**; Ms. Sulagna Das*** *Associate Professor, School of Management, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. **Professor, School of Management, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. ***Research Scholar, School of Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. ABSTRACT The present paper is an attempt to understand the Gramin Bank profile in the state of West Bengal. In this direction secondary source is taken as methodology. Various research papers, journals and websites reviewed for this purpose. The paper tried to present the various Gramin Banks in the state of West Bengal and also tried to highlight the various merger initiatives taken by these banks. KEYWORDS: Regional Rural Banks, Merger, Gramin Banks in West Bengal. ___________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION In developing country like India rural development is the most important concern of the national economy. From the time of independence of our country, a number of plans and programmes have been adopted and implemented by the central and state governments for improving the standard of living of rural community. Among these the schemes of bank nationalization creation of lead bank and licensing policy are the corner store for availability of bank finance to the small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans and small entrepreneursin rural areas. Implementation of these plans and programmes are also important to fulfill the basic need of the rural people through their involvement in various economic activities of rural development