CS asks bankers to provide banking services in unbanked villages

ITANAGAR, Dec 17: Chief secretary Naresh Kumar asked the banks operating in the state to extend their banking services to all unbanked villages by 26 January next year.

The chief secretary suggested that these unbanked villages may either be covered by opening up new branches, customer service points or through IPPB.

“Due to the geographical characteristics of the state, the coverage of banking in the remote areas is still a challenge. However, we have done reasonably well in the last few years to reach the uncovered areas,” Kumar said during a meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee at his conference hall here on Friday.

As per the report, there are 46 unbanked villages in Arunachal. These thinly populated villages are remotely located across eight districts.

The chief secretary also reviewed the progress under various

government sponsored schemes, like the Prime Minister Mudra Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Swavalamban Yojna, Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana, Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme.

Kumar said the main objective of these schemes are to handhold the farmers, young and upcoming entrepreneurs, and SHGs with some financial subsidies from the government for their livelihood and economic activities so that they become financially capable and independent.

Stating that it is the responsibility of every bank to handhold the farmers, young and upcoming entrepreneurs, and SHGs, the chief secretary requested the bankers to give priority to the applicants seeking loans under the government sponsored schemes and be a part of the economic development of the state.

Stressing on financial literacy of the people, Kumar asked the banks to conduct financial awareness workshops and camps on a regular basis in the districts.

Principal finance secretary finance Sharat Chauhan, planning commissioner Prashant S. Lokhande, finance secretary Y.W Ringu, rural development secretary A. Talwade, industry secretary Hage Tari and representatives from SBI, NABARD, APRB, KVIC, ICICI Bank, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, HDFC, Indian Bank and others attended the meeting.