To educate people about opening a bank account and to develop saving habits among them, street plays are being staged in rural pockets of the district.
The plays are a part of public awareness programme on financial inclusion and credit counseling launched by the State Bank of India (SBI) and NABARD in Bastar region.
A “Rath” (Chariot) was used which moved through villages and stopped for educating people through street plays and interactive sessions were held in the district to tell people about developing banking habits.
Using the medium of street plays, it was being advised to the people to consider opening a bank account for making all types of financial transactions and availing loans instead of going to local private financiers who exploit them.
The people were told by the bank officials about the process of opening a savings account, transactions and facilities offered by the bank.
The “Rath” ,moved through Ghotpal, Pondum, Karli, Metapal, Haram, Balud, Garhmiri, Kuakonda and Dugeli villages in the district.
A senior bank officer Netlal Thakur interacted with villagers and informed them about different financial activities. The artists tried to convince the villagers and encouraged them to avail the services of the banks. They were also encouraged towards availing life insurance. Director of Rural Self Employment Institute Sewakram Dhurve informed the villagers about training programmes and said that all the employment oriented training will be provided free of cost to them.
He said that they should come forward and get training in the field of their choice to attain the required skill to become self reliant.
The villagers were convinced by the officers and many of them expressed interest for availing life insurance and training from Rural Self Employment Training Institute situated at Dantewada.