Odisha has great potential for industrial development. The State Government is pro-industry. The State Bank of India (SBI) is partnering in many large industries in the State, said SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya on Thursday at a Press conference here.
She said the SBI is trying to connect with the Odisha livelihood Project (OlP) so that the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can act as business correspondents in nonbanking and remote areas for the benefit of common man.
Presently, there are 3,300 business correspondents in the State out of which 90 are active. However, communication is a problem in many areas. She had a discussion with the Chief Minister regarding this at a meeting on Thursday, she said.
Bhattacharya further said the bank is trying to digitise small transactions. The intention is to help everyone avail banking services including the small traders and businessmen, she said.
She informed that the SBI has made arrangements for online donation to the Puri Jagannath Temple. Online donations to the Jagannath Temple Trust can be made through the SBI. Besides, she informed that the bank which has 860 branches in Odisha is the leading bank is 19 districts of the State, most of which are backward.
She also informed that post demonetisation, there has been a spurt of Rs 288 crore in Jan Dhan Yojana account deposits in Odisha.
The SBI is trying to ensure that the people in inaccessible areas are provided with healthcare facilities for which the bank is providing a number of ambulances and sponsoring the lifeline Express as part of its CSR activities. The bank is also trying to protect the interest of senior citizens despite the cut in interest rates. She also listed merger and digitisation among her priorities.