Kolkata: West Bengal continues to retain its top position for the sixth successive year in the country in the mobilisation of net small savings, at Rs 2,120.92 crore for April-July, 2002.

This is mainly attributed to people losing faith in non-banking financial companies and their high comfort levels with the National Savings Scheme.

According to NL Khatri, regional director, National Saving Organisation, Gujarat follows West Bengal in small savings by mobilising Rs 1,527 crore. Gujarat has improved its position from the third rank during 2001-02 to the second during the period under review despite the riots and cooperative bank scams. Uttar Pradesh ranked third with a mobilisation of Rs 1,308 crore.