IT News
Imphal, Oct 29:
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has said that financial inclusion is a national priority to enable inclusive growth and the State government has implemented various schemes to achieve financial inclusion. This was stated by him at the Credit Outreach Program held at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. The program was organised by State Bank of India (SBI), Imphal.
Addressing the gathering, N. Biren Singh informed that the State government is committed to provide financial inclusiveness, especially to support the marginalized and socio-economically neglected classes. Manipur has topped the list of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registration among the smaller states in the country. He further mentioned that Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) has been implemented for the past four and half years in the State. A total of 10.10 lakh beneficiaries of 5,13,359 households in the State have been covered, he added.
The Chief Minister mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leading this country out of the hardship caused by the pandemic. Under the MUDRA scheme, a total of Rs. 356 crore has been financed to 45,349 beneficiaries. He maintained that around 7,466 beneficiaries have been benefited under PM SVANidhi scheme. Out of which, 94 percent beneficiaries are women. He also said that Manipur has topped among the NorthEastern states undertaking Street Vendor loans under PM SVANidhi scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad said that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the banking services have been improved in the State. The opening of bank accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana in the State is far better than the National average, he added.
The Union Minister informed that after having discussion with the Deputy Chief Minister and concerned officials, we came to know that the Bank ratio per lakh is only 8 in the State whereas the national average is 40. To cope up with the situation, the Union Minister said that he had instructed the banks including private sectors to open their bank branches across the State.
Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad announced that 30 bank branches will be opened before 31st March, 2022. He also said that to achieve financial inclusion, Banks will be organising door to door campaigns for opening of individual banks accounts across the State.
A total of Rs. 65.50 crore will be disbursed to 1,570 beneficiaries under the Credit Outreach program today.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh and Union Minister of State for Finance Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad also inaugurated SBI branches at Motbung and Jiribam and an ATM at Imphal.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh, Minister for Education S. Rajen Singh, Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly K. Robindro Singh, Chief General Manager, SBI North East Circle R.S. Ramesh and others were present during the function.
