Punjab Government is all set to join hands with the leading banks to provide banking and financial services to the rural citizens.
The decision was taken during a detailed brainstorming session on Tuesday with top six public and private sector banks of the region, presided over by the State Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal. It came in continuation of the meeting of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in-charge Department of Governance Reforms with top notch banks in Mumbai to make investments in Punjab and provide financial services to the rural citizens.
Bureau of Invest Punjab CEO Anirudh Tewari said that Punjab is willing to partner with leading banks of the country to provide various banking and financial services to the rural citizens of Punjab at their doorsteps through Sewa Kendras and other infrastructure created by the State.
Under this partnership, citizens will be able to avail Government services and banking services under one umbrella.
Kaushal briefed the bankers that Punjab is in process of setting up 2147 Sewa Kendras across the State and the construction, interiors work, electricity connection work etc has already been completed.
More than ` 400 crore has been spent on these centers and the State is looking for the leading public and private sector banks to partner with the State to provide its banking and financial services to the rural and urban population of the State, he said.
Appreciating State Government’s efforts, the State Bank of India chief general manager (CGM) Anil Kishora assured that the SBI is all set to provide its banking and financial services through these centers to improve their rural outreach.
“SBI is already working closely with the State Government in its schemes like pensions, scholarships, shagun scheme and other schemes,” he said.
ICICI Bank zonal head Vikas Banwala said that this partnership will provide them with a platform to double their rural penetration. “Government infrastructure will act as extended branch network and ICICI bank is also willing to make infrastructure investment in the Sewa Kendras,” he said.
Punjab National Bank’s Adish K Jain also assured that this initiative will complement their Business Correspondent model and Government infrastructure will act as extended branches and will improve their rural reach.
HDFC Bank’s zonal head Vineet Arora also offered to make mobile banking application which shall integrate Sewa Kendras with the financial services of the bank.
Central Bank of India general manager Ajay Vyas desired to make these Sewa Kendras a hub for collection of various taxes of the State and Central Government for the convenience of the citizens.
All the Banks were unanimous that all banking and financial services like account opening, cash management, ATM banking, micro ATM, insurance can be immediately started through these Sewa Kendras which would benefit the common citizens as they do not have to travel to far-off bank branches and shall visit Sewa Kendras in the vicinity of their homes.