Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday called upon the bankers to liberally sanction loans at low rates of interest to the poor and economically depressed sections of the society to ensure their financial autonomy.
“Bankers could play a pro-active role in bringing down existing exorbitant rates of interest on loans advanced to poor and underprivileged strata of the society,” said Badal while addressing the beneficiaries, after launching Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojna.
Underscoring the need to provide these loans at nominal rates, he said that this would not only ensure financial empowerment of the poor but also guarantee the recovery of these loans. “The very intent and purpose behind the concept of nationalisation of banking sector could only be served meaningfully provided majority of economically deprived sections of society are propelled towards financial inclusion,” he said.
Hailing the scheme which was the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ameliorate lot of poor and disadvantaged sections, Badal said that it would certainly prove to be a milestone in transforming their destiny, which were till now leading a life in penury.
Badal announced that Punjab, which was the frontrunner state, would also lead the nation in accomplishing the target of opening saving accounts under the scheme much before the national deadline of January 26, 2015.
None of any Minister was tainted
After the Supreme Court left the issue of decriminalising politics to the wisdom of the heads of government at the Centre and in the states advising them to not inducting into their teams those against whom charges have been framed in criminal and corruption cases, Badal came to the defence of his council of ministers.
Maintaining that there was no tainted leader in the Punjab Cabinet, Badal said that it was the sole prerogative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take any appropriate action against such ministers, if any, as per the verdict of the apex court.
Dwiwedi’s sermon not binding on them
Reacting on the statement of Congress general secretary Janardan Dwiwedi advising the political leaders above 70 years of age to denounce active politics, Badal said Dwiwedi’s ‘sermon’ was no more a judgement of the Supreme Court and binding on them.
Poaching of Gill against the coalition dharma
Terming the induction of Punjab’s former police chief and Akali leader PS Gill in the BJP as “unfortunate”, Badal said that both the SAD and BJP should refrain from poaching leaders of each others party, as it was “violation of coalition dharma”.