ITANAGAR, Sep 18: North East Circle, State Bank of India (SBI), Chief General Manager, PVSLN Murty called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu here on Monday and discussed on ways to make banking facilities available to the remotest part of the state.
For banking facilities to reach the unreached, Murty informed that the SBI is rigorously promoting establishment of Customer Support Points (CSPs) through private parties and individuals.
He explained that people can avail all such services in the CSPs, except availing loans and updating passbooks at the moment. So far, the SBI has facilitated opening of 150 CSPs in the state.
Murty, however, pointed that due to scarce population most of these newly opened CSPs are not making profits, except for few, which is disheartening the entrepreneurs who have taken up the responsibility to run these CSPs.
He requested the state government to help out such CSPs for the initial period of establishment.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the suggestion and expressed gratitude to the SBI for its keen interest in taking banking facilities to remote corners of the state.
Referring to 44 unbanked blocks in the state, the Chief Minister requested the SBI to open its branches or CSPs and assured support from local administration. He said that district administrations would be asked to provide logistical support to SBI in its outreach activities.
On request of the SBI, Khandu said district administrations will confirm internet connectivity in unbanked blocks and submit a list to the SBI along with names of prospective entrepreneurs who can run CSPs.
Murty assured that the SBI through its regional office at Itanagar would sit with the government authorities and chalk out modalities to seamlessly implement schemes like Bunkar Yojana, Swavalamban Yojana, etc, that calls for subsidized loan disbursement to beneficiaries.