Hundreds of youths led by BJP leader Surath Pahan staged a demonstration in front of the State Bank of India, Ganjam Town branch, on Wednesday demanding an investigation into the alleged rude behaviour of SBI officials towards unemployed youths seeking financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana.
Pahan and other leaders said that on the very date of inauguration of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, the SBI Ganjam Branch refused to give proforma application form to local youths, while on the other hand the SBI has outsourced the distribution of proforma application forms to intended beneficiaries. It was noticed that an outsider was distributing application forms to some intended beneficiaries under payment.
Some youths also alleged that the SBI branch has issued loan under the scheme to relatives of some bank staff members including three close relatives of a driver whose vehicle is being used by the SBI on hire. Supporting the demonstration, a student alleged that there are some bank officials who are making a conspiracy not to implement the social welfare and pro-people schemes of the Central Government for their vested interests.
Among others, youth leaders Manu Panigrahy, Durgamadhav Panigrahi, Girija Mahapatra, Kantari Dalai and Surya Patra participated in demonstration.
However, after the SBI Branch Manager assured the youths to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and that all deserving candidates would be provided financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, the demonstration was withdrawn.