N R Sheth B G Shah Doubts have been raised from time to time, as to the effectiveness of the 'lead bank' scheme launched by the Reserve Bank to promote the objectives of agricultural growth and greater employment opportunities in rural areas. The specific task assigned to the banks is stated to be that of "surveying the potential for banking development, extending branch banking after identifying growth centres, extending credit facilities after locating viable and potentially viable proposals, and mobilising deposits out of rising levels of income".