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* PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE RURAL BANKING INFRASTRUCTURE
Chandigarh September 22: In continuation of the meeting of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister In-charge Department of Governance Reforms, Punjab with top notch banks in Mumbai to make investments in Punjab and provide financial services to the rural citizens , Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary Punjab today held a detailed brainstorming session with top 6 Public and Private Sector banks of the region.
During the meeting, Mr. Anirudh Tewari, CEO, Bureau of Invest Punjab stated that Punjab is willing to partner with leading banks of the country to provide various banking and financial services to the rural citizens of Punjab at their doorsteps through Sewa Kendras and other infrastructure created by the State. Under this partnership, Citizens will be able to avail Government services and banking services under one umbrella.
Chief Secretary Punjab briefed the bankers that Punjab is in process of setting up 2147 State of Art Sewa Kendras across the State and the construction, interiors work, electricity connection work etc has already been completed. He stated that more than Rs. 400 crore has been spent on these centers and the State is looking for the leading public and private sector banks to partner with the State to provide its banking and financial services to the rural and urban population of the State.
Mr. Anil Kishora, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India appreciated the effort being made by the state government to build Sewa Kendras to provide citizen services at the doorsteps of the people and assured that SBI is all set to provide its banking and financial services through these centers to improve their rural outreach. He stated that SBI is already working closely with the state government in its schemes like Pensions, Scholarships, Shagun scheme and other schemes.
During the brainstorming session, Mr. Vikas Banwala, zonal head from ICICI Bank said that this partnership will provide them with a platform to double their rural penetration. Government Infrastructure will act as the extended branch network and ICICI bank is also willing to make infrastructure investment in the Sewa Kendras.
Mr. Adish K Jain from Punjab National Bank also assured that this initiative will complement their Business Correspondent model and Government Infrastructure will act as extended branches and will improve their rural reach. Mr. Vineet Arora, zonal head, HDFC bank also offered to make mobile banking application which shall integrate Sewa Kendras with the financial services of the bank. Mr. Ajay Vyas, GM Central Bank of India desired to make these Sewa Kendras a hub for collection of various taxes of the State and Central Government for the convenience of the citizens. All the Banks were unanimous that all the banking and financial services like account opening, cash management, ATM banking, Micro ATM, Insurance can be immediately started through these Sewa Kendras. This will benefit the common citizens of the State as they do not have to travel to far-off bank branches and shall visit Sewa Kendras in the vicinity of their homes.
Department of Governance Reforms replied to all the queries of the bankers related to number of centers, space and facilities availability, number of counters, expected footfall in the Sewa Kendras etc. In the end, Chief Secretary Punjab stressed that Government Infrastructure like Sewa Kendras will provide an opportunity to all the leading banks to improve their rural outreach. Banks must partner with the State to create a win-win situation for the State and for the banks. The Chief Secretary asked all the banks to submit their proposals for this partnership in next 7 days so that the next process can be initiated.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Anirudh Tewari, IAS, CEO,Bureou of Investment Promotion, Mr. R K Verma, IAS, Secretary Governance Reforms, Mr. H S Kandhola, Director, Department of Governance Reforms, Mr. Anil Kishora, CGM, SBI, Mr. Adish Jain, AGM, PNB, Mr. Manoj, HDFC Bank, Mr. Vikas Banwala, Zonal head, ICICI bank, Mr. Ajay Vyas, GM, Central Bank of India, Mr. Devendra Kumar, GM, State Bank of Patiala apart from other officials from Banking industry and Department of Governance Reforms.
