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Synopsis The book deals with the performance of regional Rural banks in India in general and in West Bengal in particular. This is an important issue of contemporary concern. RRBs play an important role in the socio-economic development of rural areas in improving the welfare of people living in these areas. Therefore, periodic evaluation of the performance of RRBs with respect to fulfillment of its socio-economic and other objectives are necessary. This study makes a review of the expansion of branches, credit expansion and deposit mobilization since inception till the end of June 2001. By analyzing relevant secondary data the study reveals that RRBs have been more or less successful in expanding outreach of Institutional credit in rural areas. The main objective of setting up of RRBs was to provide institutional credit to the weaker sections especially to the small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans and small entrepreneurs in the rural areas and bring about growth with social justice to the rural poor. The authors find evidences that the RRBs in the state have to some extent succeeded in achieving this objective. The authors have identified the factors behind achieving economic viability of RRBS in recent years and the reasons for low-level of profitability of RRBs in the state. Secondary data has been supplemented with primary data collected from selected beneficiaries as well as from certain bank in West Bengal. The authors have particularly analyzed the recovery performance and problems of loan repayment of RRBs in West Bengal and in the case of selected branches of Murshidabad Gramin Bank. IN this respect, a comparison has also been made between RRBs in West Bengal and in other states of India. He study has found out certain cogent causes of unsatisfactory state of recovery performance and loan repayment in the case of selected branches and beneficiaries of Murshidabad Gramin Bank. Suggestions have been made by the authors for improvement in the functioning of the RRBs. Implementation of these suggestive measures are expected to help the RRBs in performing their role properly and in achieving the objectives for which these banks were established.