Haryana Government on Tuesday urged the bankers to open a bank branch in each village of the state with population of up to 5,000 by March 31, next year.
The State Finance Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu has appealed to the bankers to assist in realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to transform the progressive economy of the country into a developed economy, by opening bank branches in villages of the State by March 31.
Following demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 and to ensure opening of more bank branches, Haryana Government would provide all necessary facilities such as infrastructure to the banks for this purpose, said the Minister while speaking at the 138th meeting of the State level Bankers Committee here,
The Minister expressed gratitude towards the bankers for providing exemplary services to the people under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar-linking of bank accounts and in the period following demonetisaton of high-denomination currency notes.
He said the fruits of this decision would be visible in the form of economic reforms by December 30 and cashless transactions would prevail in the country.
The youth are aware that the present government led by the Prime Minister, has created history by taking the decision to demonetise old Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes, which has led every citizen of the country to visit the banks, said he.
Capt Abhimanyu also urged the bankers to provide a courteous atmosphere to the people visiting the bank for the first time so as to win their trust.
He also suggested providing micro ATMs at petrol pumps, panchayat bhawans and other secure places. He also cited the example of a village where 476 new accounts were opened in the bank on a single day and about Rs 1.5 crore were deposited in these accounts.
The bankers should be prepared to implement the decisions of the Government from January 1, 2017 onwards, as they may face some difficulties in the beginning. Banks had linked people with the system by opening 10 times more accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, and had made them aware regarding accumulation of wealth, he said.
The Finance Minister also urged Chief General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), PC Chaudhri to assist in achieving the Prime Minister’s target of doubling the income of farmers by 2022 by preparing programme for promotion of dairy farming, horticulture and food processing, and organising a workshop in this regard.
He also urged the bankers to provide loans to farmers on priority basis. Capt Abhimanyu said banks would also have to increase their cash reserve ratio.
The economy is becoming an industrial economy after implementation of new Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015, as a result of which Haryana had moved from 15th to fifth position in terms
of ease of doing Business and will soon move to third position, he added.